ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 23, 2025 (WNP): The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, on Friday said the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day is a powerful symbol of the nation’s resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to progress.
Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad to commemorate the 107th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s independence, Ambassador Farhadov recalled the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on May 28, 1918 — the first secular republic in the Muslim East.
“In a remarkably short period, the young republic succeeded in forming its first parliament and government, defining its borders, and laying the foundation for state institutions,” he noted. “Though it lasted only 23 months, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic played a critical role in shaping democratic traditions and national statehood, ultimately laying the groundwork for our modern independence.”
He emphasized that the present-day Republic of Azerbaijan, as the legal successor to the 1918 republic, restored its independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Ambassador credited the late national leader Heydar Aliyev with preserving Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and guiding its development during crucial years.
“The legacy of Heydar Aliyev is being successfully carried forward by the current President, H.E. Ilham Aliyev, who continues to build a strong, sovereign Azerbaijan,” he said.
Ambassador Farhadov also acknowledged Pakistan as one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence on December 12, 1991. Diplomatic ties between the two nations were formalized on June 9, 1992.
“From the very beginning, Pakistan has been a steadfast supporter of Azerbaijan — bilaterally, on international platforms, during the occupation of our territories by Armenia, and in the post-conflict recovery period,” he stated.
He highlighted the 2020 military operation led by President Ilham Aliyev, which resulted in the liberation of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territories from nearly three decades of Armenian occupation, in line with four UN Security Council resolutions passed in 1993.
Referring to more recent developments, Ambassador Farhadov noted that on September 19, 2023, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces conducted a 23-hour anti-terror operation in the Karabakh economic region to restore constitutional order and prevent further Armenian provocations. The operation led to a swift surrender by the opposing forces.
“This victory fully restored Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. Our flag now flies across all liberated territories, and 2025 has officially been declared the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty,” he announced.
The envoy also highlighted Azerbaijan’s leadership on the global stage, including its chairmanship of organizations such as the UN Security Council, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of Turkic States.
“In this context, I take pride in our successful hosting of the COP29 climate summit,” he added. “It reflected Azerbaijan’s growing leadership in climate action and international cooperation. We were honored by the participation of a high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, which further strengthened the bonds between our two brotherly nations.”
