ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Khawaja Mohammad Asif represented Pakistan on Thursday at the 99th commemoration of the ‘Anakkale’ [Gallipoli] battle fought during the First World War, regarded as a defining moment in the Turkish history.

The Pakistani delegation, along with other international guests invited from the world over, visited the site of the battle at Canakkale. The delegates spent some time at the Gallipoli peninsula and offered prayers for the Turkish soldiers who laid their lives in defence of their country, said a message received from Turkey here on Thursday. `Anakkale’ [Gallipoli] campaign is one of the wars of survival in Turkish history. The campaign is regarded as a defining moment in the nation’s history. The struggle formed the basis for the Turkish War of Independence and the founding of the Republic of Turkey eight years later under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who first rose to prominence as a commander at Gallipoli. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Mohammad Haroon Shaukat, Consul General Istanbul Dr Yusuf Junaid and Naval Attache Capt (PN) Zakaur Rehman also accompanied the Pakistani dignitary, it said.—APP