Azeri Victory Day parade: No one can challenge our sovereignty: PM

BAKU: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday, reiterated that indeed, Pakistan, just like their Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers, ‘seeks peace, but let there be no doubt - no one can ever be allowed to challenge our sovereignty, or undermine our territorial integrity’.

Addressing Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade, the prime minister said that Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan were like three brothers and their hearts beat together. They were now standing shoulder to shoulder, celebrating the momentous occasion.

“What a proud and scintillating sight it is to witness, our valiant armed forces, marching beside their Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers, as the skies come alive with the roar of the JF-17 Thunder jets, a resounding symbol of our enduring friendship, which has, Alhamdolillah, grown from strength to strength over the years,” he added.

He recalled that the Azerbaijani and Turkish military contingents had proudly marched alongside the Pakistani Armed Forces in Islamabad, amid tremendous applause, on the 14th of August this year, when they celebrated Maarka-e-Haq to commemorate their historic victory in the four-day war with India.

The prime minister said that their hearts swelled with pride over the Azerbaijan celebrations. Today, he said that as he witnessed their radiant faces and shining eyes, those cherished childhood memories were being refreshed.

He also recited a verse of national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal—a guiding light of their freedom struggle —and added that these timeless words reminded them that freedom was not won by force alone, but by unwavering belief and commitment that breathed life into such heroic struggles.

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The prime minister said five years ago, the courageous sons of Azerbaijan, under the bold and visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, rose to respond to the call of history. “The world witnessed in awe as Azerbaijan’s brave armed forces liberated their ancestral lands of majestic Karabakh.

Throughout this entire struggle for liberation, Pakistan stood like a rock with its brotherly country, Azerbaijan,” he added.

The prime minister said Azerbaijan’s victory in Karabakh, was a glorious vindication of a just cause; a beacon of hope, for all nations, striving for sovereignty, and self-determination, including, the brave and resilient people of Gaza, and Indian- Illegally Occupied, Jammu and Kashmir.

This year, he said, the entire world witnessed how the great people and resolute leadership of Azerbaijan and Turkiye stood firmly with Pakistan, during the four-day war with India in May this year. “Under the dynamic and fearless command of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s highly professional Armed Forces delivered a bloody nose to our enemy with a precise and highly effective military punch that stunned the enemy into shock and disbelief. Our ever vigilant air force hawks ably commanded by Air-Chief Marshal Zaheer Baber Sidhu, shot down seven highly sophisticated enemy aircrafts with lightning speed in defence of the motherland,” he added. Today, he said as they celebrated the past, they also looked to the future, with great hopes and aspirations. It was heartening to see the return of displaced families to their homes in Karabakh, he said and appreciated President Aliyev’s personal strong commitment to the welfare and progress of the people of Azerbaijan.

The astounding speed of reconstruction in Shusha (the jewel of Karabakh), Khankendi, Fuzuli, Lachin and all across the liberated territories of Karabakh, was absolutely phenomenal, he opined.

The prime minister also lauded the most successful models of development in present day Turkiye, whose architect was none other than President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and expressed his sincere admiration for his visionary leadership that has transformed Turkiye, into a modern, progressive, strategic and economic power. The prime minister said “True victory lies not on the battlefield alone but in building bridges of peace and understanding.” The prime minister appreciated Azerbaijan President’s efforts for peace and development through his skillful diplomacy. He also acknowledged and appreciated US President Donald J. Trump for his exemplary leadership that culminated in the success of these peace efforts.

“It was President Trump’s, bold and decisive leadership, that brought about, the ceasefire, between Pakistan and India, restoring peace in South Asia - averting a major war and saving millions of people,” he reiterated.

The prime minister said that their common resolve for peace, has most recently been tested, in the case of Afghanistan and expressed gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for their invaluable contribution, in facilitating the peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“This is a true reflection of the strong and time-tested, fraternal ties between our countries, that stand together through thick and thin,” he opined.