Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
Azerbaijan is one of the few nations in the world that celebrates the restoration of its independence, not once but twice in a century – a testament to its resilient quest for statehood. This is a shining example for the nations that are still languishing under colonial occupation to get inspiration and continue their struggle for freedom and self rule with complete sovereignty and in accordance with the aspirations of the people.
First Republic – 28 May 1918: The Dawn in the Muslim East
On 28 May 1918, after the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Azerbaijan National Council in Tiflis proclaimed the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR). It was a historic moment – the first secular, democratic republic in the Muslim East. In just 23 months, the ADR achieved remarkable milestones that were far ahead of its time:
Granting women the right to vote in 1918, even before many Western nations.
Establishing a multi-party parliament, national army, national currency, and national university in Baku.
Declaring Azerbaijani as the state language and adopting the tricolor flag – blue for Turkic heritage, red for modernity and democracy, and green for Islamic values.
The dream, however, was short-lived. On 28 April 1920, the 11th Red Army of Bolshevik Russia invaded Baku and the ADR fell. Azerbaijan was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union, first as part of the Transcaucasian SFSR and from 1936 as the Azerbaijan SSR. The occupation lasted for 71 years.
The Connection Between 1918 and 1991:
The Soviet period could not erase the memory of 1918. The flag, anthem, and ideals of the ADR were preserved in exile and in the hearts of the people. When the Soviet Union began to disintegrate in the late 1980s, the people of Azerbaijan rose again under the same tricolor.The struggle of the late 80s and early 90s was painful.
The tragedy of Black January – 20 January 1990, when Soviet troops killed more than 130 civilians in Baku, and the Khojaly genocide of 26 February 1992 by Armenian armed forces, became turning points in the national liberation movement.
Amid this chaos, on 30 August 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan adopted the Declaration on Restoration of Independence, and on 18 October 1991, the Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted, re-establishing the independent Republic of Azerbaijan as the successor of the ADR of 1918.
This is why 18 October is celebrated as the Day of Restoration of Independence.
Heydar Aliyev — The Founder of a Strong and Independent Azerbaijan
Statehood and Nation Building – The Heydar Aliyev Era:
Independence in 1991 was followed by deep crisis – war in Karabakh, loss of 20% of territories, economic collapse, and political anarchy. The state was on the verge of failure. But fortunately, the return of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to power in June 1993 saved Azerbaijani statehood. His vision was clear: strong state, strong army, strong economy.
He signed the “Contract of the Century” in 1994 with international oil companies, bringing Azerbaijan’s oil to world markets and laying the foundation for economic independence. He adopted the Constitution of 1995, built state institutions, and established the ideology of Azerbaijanism, uniting all citizens regardless of ethnicity.
He initiated army building from scratch, understanding that without a strong army, independence cannot be protected.Heydar Aliyev famously said, “An independent state needs a strong army.”
Prosperity and Victory – The Ilham Aliyev Era:
Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev since 2003, Azerbaijan transformed from a crisis-ridden country into a regional power and an energy and connectivity hub.
The strategy of strong statehood continued: modernization of the economy, construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, and the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe, turning Azerbaijan into a guarantor of Europe’s energy security.
Baku became the host of international events and a center of dialogue.But the most important task remained – the liberation of occupied lands.
For nearly 30 years, Armenia kept 20% of Azerbaijani territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts, under occupation despite four UN Security Council Resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884) demanding immediate withdrawal. Nearly one million Azerbaijanis remained IDPs.
The patience of Azerbaijan ended in 2020. On 27 September 2020, after Armenian provocations, Azerbaijan launched counter-offensive operations. In 44 days – the Second Karabakh War, under the direct leadership of Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Army, built with modern technology, professionalism and high patriotic spirit, liberated more than 300 cities, villages and settlements, including the cultural capital Shusha.
On 8 November 2020, Victory was achieved. On 10 November, Armenia capitulated. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was restored.The Victory was not just military – it was the restoration of historical justice and the completion of the journey that started on 28 May 1918.
The flag that was raised in Tiflis in 1918 is now flying in Shusha and Khankendi.
Today, under President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is rebuilding the liberated territories – the Great Return Program, construction of airports in Fuzuli, Zangilan and Lachin, smart villages, and the Zangezur Corridor project.
From 1918 to 1991 to 2020, the lesson is one: Independence is not given, it is earned and protected by national unity, strong leadership, and a strong army.
Azerbaijan and Pakistan
Pakistan strongly and consistently supports Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over the Karabakh region, grounded in UN Security Council resolutions and mutual diplomatic backing. Pakistan officially recognizes the Khojaly Massacre as a genocide committed against Azerbaijanis.
Pakistan did not officially recognize Armenia, due to its occupation of Azerbaijani territories until Azerbaijan liberated the territories and Armenia signed peace agreement. During Second Karabakh War (2020). the National Assembly of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution condemning Armenian aggression and backing Azerbaijan’s right to self-defense.
Bilateral cooperation expanded through trilateral frameworks with Turkey (the Baku Declaration) and major defense agreements, including Azerbaijan’s procurement of JF-17 Block III fighter jets. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended Azerbaijan’s Victory Day events in Baku and welcomed subsequent peace efforts in the region.
