On the eve of 108th Independence Day's celebrations of Republic of Azerbaijan, a prestigious ceremony was held here in Islamabad. Federal Minister for Communications & President Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party Abdul Aleem Khan was Chief Guest while His Excellency Mr. Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan was host. High-profile dignitaries including Chairman Senate Syed Yosuf Raza Gilani, Federal Minister for Law & Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Ministers Musadik Malik, Shiza Fatima Khawaja, Farooq Sattar alongside Ambassadors from various brotherly nations attended the ceremony. Deputy Speaker National Assembly Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan and Senior Minister Punjab Maryum Aurangzeb were also among distinguished guests.
In his keynote address, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, commemorating the historic establishment of the Azerbaijan in 1918 and Democratic Republic as the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim World. He emphasized that this milestone is a testament to the indomitable spirit of a nation built on democracy and human rights. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan lauded Azerbaijan's remarkable economic progress and its pivotal role in advancing global connectivity through the North-South and East-West transport corridors, specifically highlighting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan noted that Pakistan was among the first to recognize Azerbaijan’s restored independence in 1991. Abdul Aleem Khan paid special tribute to the late Heydar Aliyev for laying the foundations of bilateral ties and praised the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev for evolving this friendship into a robust 21st-century strategic alliance.
Highlighting practical cooperation, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan pointed to the finalization of the Preferential Trade Agreement and Transit Trade Agreement as evidence of a forward-looking approach to regional integration. He specifically acknowledged President Aliyev’s decision to exempt customs duties on Pakistani rice imports as a gesture of deep-rooted trust. He further noted that increased direct air links have vanished the distance between Islamabad and Baku as nearly 90,000 Pakistanis visited Azerbaijan in the last year alone to experience its legendary hospitality. Concluding his remarks, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reaffirmed the mutual support between the two nations on critical issues of sovereignty. He expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s consistent and principled voice regarding the rights of the Kashmiri people while reiterating Pakistan’s steadfast advocacy for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and its stance on Nagorno-Karabakh. He thanked the Government in Baku for its unwavering moral and brotherly solidarity during times of conflict, especially in Marka-e-Haque, stating that the unbreakable spirit of both nations ensures a thriving bond for years to come. In the ceremony national songs of both the countries Pakistan and Azerbaijan were played and documentaries were aired on cultural and historic aspects of Azerbaijan.
