Islamabad(Tazeen Akhtar + APP) Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Dr. Fehmida Mirza has reiterated Pakistan’s already continued support for Azerbaijan on Khojaly Genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh Issue. Armenian forces massacred 613 Azerbaijanis in Khojaly city at midnight between 26-27 February 1992. 103 women and 63 children were among the martyrs while more than 1000 went missing with no traces yet. Azerbaijan terms it Genocide on the basis of ethnic cleansing of its citizens.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza was speaking as chief guest at a seminar “Conflicts, Genocides,Wars–Never Again. Peace & Stability through Credibility”.The seminar was dedicated to the 27th Anniversary of Khojaly Genocide, Feb 26, 1992, by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and Centre for International Peace and Stability, National University of Sciences and Technology(NUST) Islamabad on 22 Feb 2019
Other speakers included Lt Gen R Naveed Zamaan Rector NUST, Ambassador R Khalid Mahmood President Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Ali Alizade, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Mustafa Yurdakul, Ambassador of Turkey.
The Speakers noted that Khojaly does not differ from horrific tragedies of Katyn, Lidice, Oradour-sur-Glane, Holocaust, Songmy, Rwanda, Srebrenica & ongoing genocide by India in Kashmir, which are etched on the minds of people forever. These atrocities went down in the history of wars as genocides of civilians that shook the world.
Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov,Ambassador of Kazakhstan Barlybay Sadikov, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Erik Beishembeiv, Ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Karmoune,Ambassador of Nepal Ms Sewa Lamsal Adhikari, Ambassador of Belarus Andrei G Earmolovich, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Noordeen Mohamed Shaheed,diplomats from Ukraine,Uzbekistan,Tajikistan and other countries were also present.
Large number of students, faculty,press, media persons and civil society attended the seminar.
Dr Fehmida Mirza highlight Armenian armed forces massacred innocent people in Khojaly, in order to cover their tracks, they resorted to extreme brutality, destroying Khojaly monuments, which had been of unique importance to both the people of Azerbaijan and entire humanity.
Federal Minister commended the organizers of the seminar for choosing an important topic particularly in the context of Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh. Dr. Mirza highlighted the importance of Pakistan- Azerbaijan relations and said that the friendship of the two countries is deeply rooted. She also mentioned the fact that Pakistan is the only nation that has not recognized Armenia as a state.
“Pakistan’s support is based on its principled stand of accepting people’s rights to self-determination, a right that is being denied to the people of Kashmir for the last seven decades.” She told. The Minister reiterated that like Nagorno-Karabakh, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is on United Nations Security council agenda and awaited resolution. She urged the international community to take notice of the situation in Occupied Kashmir where India has not only denied the Right of self determination to Kashmiri People, but has been desperately trying to conceal its atrocities by equating the legitimate and indigenous struggle of the Kashmiri people with terrorism.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza referred to the speech of the Prime Minister of Pakistan after Pulwama attack, and said war or use of force can never resolve any conflict. Constructive engagement through dialogues is the only way to move forward. The Minister said that Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan shared values and stance on important regional issues. The importance of regional connectivity and integration was also stressed.
Mr. Ali Alizade, Ambassador of Azerbaijan,in his address said that we are thankful to Pakistan for its support on every forum including UNSC and OIC Contact Group on Nagorno-Karabakh and Kashmir. Pakistan can better understand plight of Khojaly and Nagorno-Karabakh because Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism. Azerbaijan stands by Pakistan on Kashmir in the Contact Group. Armenia will have to leave the occupation sooner.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan said: “This genocide is a source of constant pain in the hearts of Azerbaijanis and it is wound which will never heal. “He appreciated Pakistan’s support for Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and for standing by the victims of Khojaly genocide.Pakistan has not extended recognition to the state of Armenia to express solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan, he added. He also thanked the NUST administration for arranging the seminar for the students as it would help them know more about the issue.
Mr. Mustafa Yurdakul, Ambassador of Turkey said that solution to Nagorno-Karabakh issue is important for both countries Azerbaijan and Turkey. After Pakistan, more parliaments of the world will for sure condemn the occupation of Armenia.We have to remember all the Muslims in the world that are subjected to atrocities including Nagorno-Karabakh, Bosnia, Myanmar,Palestine and Kashmir. Muslims need to leave seeing to the others for solution to their problems. Muslims should cooperate one another for their well being.
Ambassador further said that “This merciless and cruel genocide was the most dreadful mass terror act in the history of humankind.” Turkey didn’t forget Khojaly genocide. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown
Ambassador R Khalid Mahmood said that UN Resolutions 822-853-874 need to be implemented as early as possible. That is the obligation of the UN and world community. The resolutions bound Armenia to leave the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Dr Tughral Yamin Associate Dean at NUST-Centre for International peace & stability in his opening address welcomed all the guest & participants. Dr Tughral said Khojaly genocide, which was committed by the Armenians in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly on the night of 25-26 February 1992, is considered one of the gravest crimes against humanity in the late 20th century.
Lt Gen Naweed Zaman, HI (M), (Retd), Rector NUST also highlighted the ‘Nagorno-Karabakh’ conflict and its future prospective, recounted the historical background of the massacre terming it a tragedy of 20th century and explained its counter effects on the civilized world.
At the end of seminar a short video was also featured on topic “call for peace” by Azerbaijani children.
