ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan organized a conference titled “Great Bravery” at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, to honor the memory of Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives during the 2020 war with Armenia.
The event was attended by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, foreign diplomats, Pakistani officials, former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mushahid Hussain Syed, NUST Pro-Rector Major General (R) Arif Malik, journalists, faculty members, and students.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Khazar Farhadov said that September 27 is a day of great bravery and sacrifice for the people of Azerbaijan as it marks the beginning of the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020, which enabled Azerbaijan to reclaim its occupied territories after nearly three decades. He said the victory not only safeguarded Azerbaijan’s sovereignty but also restored the fundamental rights of nearly one million displaced Azerbaijanis. He praised the courage of Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support during the war, stressing that Pakistan has always stood shoulder to shoulder with Azerbaijan.
Highlighting Azerbaijan’s ongoing peace efforts, including the initiation of a peace treaty with Armenia in Washington this August, the ambassador said that lasting peace and regional prosperity depend on partnership and dialogue. Paying tribute to the martyrs, he emphasized that their sacrifices paved the way for sovereignty, stability, and a prosperous future in the South Caucasus.
Addressing the gathering, Mushahid Hussain Syed said Pakistan and Azerbaijan share a strong history of mutual support on the issues of Karabakh and Kashmir. He strongly criticized the double standards of Western countries, which have repeatedly failed Muslim nations in times of crisis. He lauded President Ilham Aliyev’s decisive role in liberating Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation and praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a great leader of the Muslim world.
In his remarks, NUST Pro-Rector Major General (R) Arif Malik said Pakistan and Azerbaijan have made unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He noted that both countries are cooperating in the fields of trade, energy, defense, and education. He also paid rich tribute to Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev, describing him as a visionary statesman.
It is noteworthy that September 27 is observed every year in Azerbaijan and among its friends worldwide to pay homage to the supreme sacrifices of Azerbaijani soldiers who laid down their lives during the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020.