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Ex-Pakistani general recalls helping Turkey on Cyprus

Turkey, Pakistan are 2 countries but 1 nation, says ex-general who helped Turkish military in 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation

home > Turkey, world, life, todays headlines 12.01.2018

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

A former Pakistani general who served with the Turkish military during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation said he was glad he got an opportunity to help out his Turkish brothers and sisters.

Retired Lt. Gen. Karamat Ahmed Karamat, former surgeon general of the Pakistani army, was a member of a medical team who was sent to Turkey during the operation to help Turkish military personnel and civilians who got injured.

"I was a major when I got ordered to immediately prepare to join the medical team leaving for Turkey to help the Turkish military,” Karamat told Anadolu Agency in an interview.

The operation took place in 1974, when Turkish soldiers interceded under Ankara’s guarantor status to protect the Turkish community on Cyprus.

They were responding to violence amid a Greek Cypriot attempt to forcibly unite Cyprus with Greece, then ruled by a military junta. Turkey sent 40,000 troops to the island’s north to protect its Turkish population from the ethnic violence.

It was July 17, 1974, when our team, consisting of 30 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, left for Turkey aboard a special Pakistani military C-130 aircraft that arrived at Adana airport in Turkey in the evening.

Soon after our arrival we were moved to military camps in Mersin and Tarsus areas, he said.

Personally, it was a difficult time for the former Pakistani officer since his own wife was pregnant and in her last term at the time.

"My wife told me that I am pregnant and doctor has advised me for a Caesarian while you are going abroad; I replied ‘God will help you’ but my brothers and sisters are fighting and they need my help, so, as a soldier I should go for their help," Karamat said.

On Sept. 3, 1974, when Karamat was in Mersin and his team was busy helping injured Turkish colleagues, he got a telegram from his father-in-law about the birth of his daughter.

The retired general was born in 1943 in southeastern Pakistan’s Punjab province. He served the Pakistani army for 37 years in its medical corps and retired in 2003.

Karamat and his team served in Turkey till September 1974 and returned to Pakistan after completing their duty.

Fond memories
"Still I remember these days and the time I passed with Turkish colleagues, but I have lost all contact made with friends at that time... there were no facilities back then to remain in contact with them,” he said.

He remembered the hospitality and respect he and his team received from Turkish military personnel and local people of Mersin and Tarsus.

He visited Turkey for the second time in 2003, when he was the surgeon general of the Pakistani army.

Turkey and Pakistan are two countries but one nation, since both sides love each other, he said.

Karamat said he intends to visit Turkey along with his wife again someday.

The former general urged the Pakistani youth to learn the Turkish language and also urged the Turkish youth to learn Urdu in order to understand each other better.

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-> http://aa.com.tr/en/life/ex-pakistani-general-recalls-helping-turkey-on-cyprus/1029532

We should be very grateful for having such wonderful and loyal friends. Btw, from Nov. 2017:

 

[Pax Ottomana]

If Turkey has a strategic ally, no doubt it's Pakistan.

 

[lastofthepatriots]

If Turkey has a strategic ally, no doubt it's Pakistan.

We will come in clutch when shit really goes down, but so far the Turks seem to be handling themselves pretty nicely.

 

[Pax Ottomana]

We will come in clutch when shit really goes down, but so far the Turks seem to be handling themselves pretty nicely.

Thanks @lastofthepatriots Good to know that our big brother's got our back.

 

[Killuminati]

Whatever happens, Turkey should always offer its support and assistance to Pakistan. Besides being our strategic ally, Pakistanis are our brothers and sisters. We will never forget their support during our war of independence.

 

[Pindi Boy]

Thanks @lastofthepatriots Good to know that our big brother's got our back.

we are younger brother

 

[Enigma_]

Yep, one alliance that Pakistan has definitely nailed.

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Id like to see more Turkish bros come visit Pakistan. Along with stronger economic and military ties. Turkey shohld also try to benefit from oppurtunities in CPEC

 

[Mucahit]

l don't know why Pakistanis love us so much but they were always there when we needed them. Not just during the independence war but also way before during the Balkan wars they came to help.

That's what l call a real friend.

 

[mkiyani]

long live Turkey and Pakistan... May Allah protect these two nation always and blessed them with all the success and prosperity.. Ameen.

 

[Kompromat]

Turkey had placed its war resources at Pakistan's disposal during India, Pakistan wars.

 

[lastofthepatriots]

l don't know why Pakistanis love us so much but they were always there when we needed them. Not just during the independence war but also way before during the Balkan wars they came to help.

That's what l call a real friend.

Turkey and Pakistan are same because we are both surrounded by enemies from all sides. Yet, we are both here. We are Muslim, and we make racist white people and anti-islamic people angry.

It is Asia that the western people want, but we will not let them have it like Africa.

 

[Pax Ottomana]

Cooperation throughout history as well as excellent present-day military, economic and cultural relations aside, part of the reason why Pakistanis and Turks are so close is because we're both non-Arab predominantly Sunni nations at relatively close proximity. We "get each other", so to speak.

I also view Pakistan as Turkey's only hope of one day going nuclear -- or at least do it relatively quickly/cost-effectively.. We certainly need our brothers' help with the tech when the time comes.