Victory Day of Azerbaijan is being celebrated in Pakistan like a National Day of Pakistan herself. Certainly we are brotherly nations and our celebrations and sorrows are common as is our history and culture. Pakistan extended all possible support at political, moral, principal, ethical, diplomatic level to Azerbaijan before the second Karabakh war Sep to Nov 2020. Pakistan stood with Azerbaijan through the hard days and nights of the war. Pakistan has renewed her full support after the war. Azerbaijan reciprocates in the same manner in every possible way.
National Assembly of Pakistan hosted Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers in the same connection to the house on 09 Nov 2021 to celebrate the victory day. This day is National Flag Day of Azerbaijan. Murtaza Javid Abbasi, head of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Group, Deputy Speaker NA Qasim Khan Suri, Mahir Abbaszadeh, member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Khazar Nadir Oglu Farhadov, Ambassador of Turkey Ihsan Mustafa graced the event with their attendance . All members of the friendship group, MNAs were present.
Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri spoke about the high-level relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan and noted that Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan. Expressing deep respect and esteem for the brave Azerbaijani soldiers and officers who martyred for the territorial integrity of country during the Second Karabakh War, Qasim Khan Suri congratulated the Azerbaijani government and people on the liberation of their lands from Armenian occupation.
Qasim Khan Suri said Pakistan considers Azerbaijan a brotherly country, along with intergovernmental relations, it is important to further increase ties between our peoples, and Azerbaijan’s support to Pakistan in international and regional affairs is seen as a manifestation of friendship and brotherhood. He praised Azerbaijan’s support for Kashmir.
Ambassador Khazar Farhadov stressed that Azerbaijan ensured its territorial integrity, restored the fundamental rights of about one million Azerbaijanis and implemented the relevant UN Security Council resolutions of 1993.
The ambassador noted that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a thing of the past, there is no longer an administrative territorial unit called Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan, and the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic zones were established by a decree signed by the President on July 7.
The ambassador also said that November 9 was the State Flag Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan and was established by a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on November 17, 2009.
Noting that Azerbaijan’s rightful position during the war was supported by friendly and brotherly countries, Farhadov said that the strong political and moral support of brotherly Turkey and Pakistan was of special importance from the first day. He noted that the Pakistani Senate and National Assembly adopted resolutions condemning Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, supporting the rightful position of our country. He thanked the Pakistani government, Senate, National Assembly and people for their support during the war. He said that Azerbaijan supports the settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Murtaza Javed Abbasi stressed the important role of parliaments in establishing friendly and fraternal relations. He said that celebrating of first anniversary of Azerbaijan’s victory will further develop, friendship and mutual trust between our countries and peoples.
Mahir Abbaszadeh conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, noting that Pakistan, as one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, has always supported our country over the years.
He said Pakistan’s moral and political support during the war was a symbol of friendship and brotherhood.
Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul noted that 20% of the territory of Azerbaijan had been occupied by Armenia for 30 years and expressed regret that the international community turned a blind eye to this injustice. Speaking about the 44-days war, the ambassador stressed that 4 unfulfilled UN Security Council resolutions were implemented by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, noting that Turkey and Pakistan will always stand by the brotherly Azerbaijani .
We in Pakistan have a saying – one is one – 2 are eleven – this formula makes the 3 like 33. The brotherhood of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey is on principal basis. The principals are No to foreign aggression and occupation, respect for territorial integrity of every country, solve the disputes peacefully and develop a mutually beneficial neighborhood. It is in line with the charter of United Nations. Other Nations can join this Troika to sustain peace and stability in the regions and in the world.
Tazeen Akhtar
