National Day of Azerbaijan Celebrated in Islamabad with Full Solidarity of Pakistani Side

Tazeen Akhtar

National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been celebrated in Islamabad with huge participation of government, military, civil society representatives of Pakistan expressing their unwavering support and solidarity with Azerbaijani Leadership and the nation.May 28 is celebrated as the Independence Day  of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic  was the first democratic secular republic in the Muslim East that was established on May 28, 1918.

Mr. & Mrs. Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of brotherly country hosted a grand reception on this historic occasion at local hotel in which Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi was the chief guest.

Minister Abbasi while speaking to the participants said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Azerbaijan. Both countries are standing with each other through thick and thin. We support each other on regional and world fora. He expressed hope that the present level of bilateral cooperation will be further enhanced in the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The convener of Pakistan Azerbaijan Friendship Group in Senate of Pakistan, Talha Mehmood, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Shakeel Munir was also present.

Ambassador Farhadov, shed light on the back ground of the auspicious day and bilateral relations with Pakistan.

He said “The measures taken during Azerbaijan Democratic Republic were important in terms of establishing the foundations of independent statehood and determining the future direction of development. The establishment of democratic rights and freedoms, recognition of equal rights of all citizens regardless of ethnic and religious affiliation, giving women the right to vote even before many European countries, declaring the Azerbaijani language the state language, paying special attention to the development of education and culture, the establishment of the national army and security structures clearly characterize the scale, essence, and meaning of the policy pursued by the government of the Republic.”

“After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the people of Azerbaijan established an independent Republic of Azerbaijan based on the traditions of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Under the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, tremendous efforts were done and steps were taken to strengthen the restored independence.” He shared.

“Today, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the process of development of democratic, legal, secular state and civil society in the Republic of Azerbaijan continues successfully. These successes are reflected in all aspects of Azerbaijani people’s lives. As a result of the victory in the war the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, and the surrender of Armenia are natural consequences of Azerbaijan’s achievements under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev.” Ambassador continued.

After the restoration of Azerbaijan’s Independence in 1991, Pakistan was one of the first countries recognized independence of Azerbaijan.Azerbaijan and Pakistan are bound by the relations of strong friendship, brotherhood and strategic partnership based on historical and cultural roots. The two countries have always supported each other both bilaterally and within international organizations. 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

Ambassador said “The relations forged between peoples of both countries are among the primary factors conditioning our inter-state cooperation. It is pleasant that throughout these 30 years, Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations, underpinned by mutual trust and confidence, have developed exponentially, and new directions of our engagement have been identified. Today, the high level of political relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic, defense industry, humanitarian and other spheres are gratifying.”

Azerbaijan-Pakistan Intergovernmental Joint Commission and around 10 Joint Working Groups under this Commission serve the further improvement of the relations between brotherly countries.

Direct flights which started from Karachi, Lahore to Baku in March, 2022 (Islamabad to be started in coming weeks) is also another milestone that was achieved between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. It gives an impetus to further deepen people to people contacts with easily visa obtaining procedure, to increase number of tourist from both countries, as well as to serve to expand economic cooperation, increase trade and raise the level of relations between business communities of the two countries.A foto exhibition was also part of the reception in which tourist spots of different cities and sites of Azerbaijan were portrayed. The pictures of newly liberated territories were displayed for the information of the participants about Armenian illegal occupation on Azerbaijani lands for decades. The participants took keen interest in the exhibition and gathered information about the role of Azerbaijan in maintaining peace and equilibrium in the region.