Pakistan celebrates Azerbaijan's Victory Day PHOTO

An official reception was held in Islamabad, Pakistan, to mark the 5th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day, celebrated on November 8, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Pakistan has announced.

The special guest of the evening was Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan. The event was attended by federal ministers, senators, senior military officers, foreign ambassadors, diplomats, representatives of state institutions, civil society, business and cultural figures, members of the media, and Azerbaijanis living in Pakistan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The evening began with a minute of silence in memory of those who died in the 44-day Patriotic War. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan were played, followed by a video highlighting Azerbaijan’s victory.

In his remarks, Ambassador Khazar Farhadov provided detailed information about Victory Day, marking the 5th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s historic achievement. He noted that the territories occupied by Armenia were liberated by the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev during the 44-day war, ending three decades of occupation.

Ambassador Farhadov emphasized that Azerbaijan had initially sought a peaceful resolution, but Armenia’s continued provocations and military aggression made a military solution unavoidable. He highlighted the Armenian attacks on cities such as Ganja, Barda, and Tartar, which targeted civilians, and praised the professionalism and heroism of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for restoring justice in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

He also spoke about local counter-terrorism operations conducted in September 2023, which ensured full sovereignty over the country, and noted that Azerbaijan’s tricolor flag now flies proudly across all territories, including Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, previously under occupation for 30 years.

Ambassador Farhadov provided an overview of the ongoing reconstruction and development efforts under the “Great Return” program and expressed Azerbaijan’s gratitude to Pakistan for its long-standing support and solidarity, describing it as a model of fraternal relations between the two nations.

Senate Chairman Gilani congratulated the government and people of Azerbaijan, emphasising that the Second Karabakh War restored Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and implemented relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He noted that the victory opened opportunities for the return of nearly one million displaced Azerbaijanis and praised the reconstruction efforts as a symbol of peace and progress in the region. He added that Pakistan has consistently supported Azerbaijan’s just position based on international law, and the victory was widely celebrated among the Pakistani public.

The event concluded with performances of patriotic songs, celebrating Azerbaijan’s achievements and the strong ties between the two countries.

By Khagan Isayev