Islamabad: The ‘Remembrance Day’ was commemorated in the Pakistani capital Islamabad to pay homage to the military personnel of Azerbaijan who were martyred in the Patriotic War in 2020. Organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Islamabad, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) hosted the conference titled ’27 September-Remembrance Day: The Great Heroism’ in its Heydar Aliyev Auditorium.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, foreign ambassadors based in Islamabad, Pakistani diplomats, former Federal Information Minister Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Pro Rector of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Major General (R) Arif Malik, prominent journalists, faculty members, and students attended the conference.
Speaking on the ‘Remembrance Day’, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov said that September 27 marks a day of heroism and sacrifice for his nation, as it commemorates the beginning of the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 which restored Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity after nearly three decades of Armenian occupation.
The Ambassador noted that this victory not only upheld Azerbaijan’s sovereignty but also restored the rights of almost one million displaced Azerbaijanis. He praised the courage of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and acknowledged the support extended by Pakistan during the patriotic war. Ambassador Farhadov said Pakistan was one of several countries that always stood side by side with Azerbaijan.
Highlighting ongoing peace efforts, including the initiation of a peace agreement with Armenia in Washington in August this year, the Azerbaijani Ambassador emphasized that lasting peace and regional prosperity depend on partnership and dialogue. Paying tribute to Azerbaijani martyrs, the Ambassador stated their sacrifice paved the way for sovereignty, stability, and future prosperity of the South Caucasus.
Former Pakistani Information Minister Mushahid Hussain Sayed, speaking on the occasion, said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan have a history of supporting each other on issues of Karabakh and Kashmir. He criticized the double standards of the western countries who have repeatedly failed Muslim nations in times of crisis. He lauded the role of President Ilham Aliyev in liberating Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation and praised President of Trkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as a leader of the Muslim world.
In his remarks, Pro Rector of NUST Major General (R) Arif Malik paid tribute to Heydar Aliyev, National Leader of Azerbaijan, calling him a visionary leader. He said Pakistan and Azerbaijan have made sacrifices against terrorism and are cooperating in trade, energy, defense, and education sectors.
The historic day is commemorated every year on 27th September in Azerbaijan and globally by the friends of Azerbaijan to pay homage to the sacrifices made by Azerbaijani military personnel martyred in the 44 days of the Patriotic War in 2020.