Pakistan PM Reaffirms Territorial Integrity at Azerbaijan Victory Day
At Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebration, Pakistan’s prime minister reiterates his commitment to protecting territorial integrity.
ISLAMABAD: Speaking at Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations in Baku on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s determination to protect its territorial integrity against external aggression, citing recent border skirmishes with Afghanistan and a brief military confrontation with India.
Victory Day commemorates Azerbaijan’s military victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, when, following six weeks of warfare, its soldiers reclaimed territory from Armenian forces.
A truce mediated by Russia put an end to the conflict and gave Azerbaijan back sovereignty over portions of the disputed area, which had long been occupied by ethnic Armenian authorities but was internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.
According to Sharif, Azerbaijan’s war with Armenia was sponsored by Pakistan and Turkey, just as Islamabad’s four-day confrontation with India was supported by both countries.
He addressed the assembly, saying, “This year, 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.”
“With a precise and highly effective military punch that stunned the enemy into shock and disbelief, Pakistan’s highly professional armed forces delivered a bloody nose to our enemy.”
“In defence of the motherland, our ever-vigilant Air Force hawks… shot down seven highly sophisticated enemy aircraft with lightning speed,” he continued.
Pakistan, like its “Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers,” wants peace, according to Sharif, but he warned that no one would ever be permitted to question its sovereignty or jeopardise its geographical integrity.
Additionally, he commended US President Donald Trump for his pivotal role in resolving tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia and preventing a wider catastrophe between India and Pakistan.
“The ceasefire between Pakistan and India was brought about by President Trump’s bold and decisive leadership, restoring peace in South Asia and saving millions of people,” stated Sharif.
Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade featured JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Pakistani troops, both of which praised their tight bilateral ties.A day earlier, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir joined Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for a meeting to discuss closer collaboration in defence, energy, trade, and politics.
