Pakistan reaffirms unity with Azerbaijan, Turkiye at Baku parade

November 10, 2025 (MLN): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Azerbaijan and Turkiye, emphasizing the enduring bond of “faith, friendship, and shared struggle” among the three brotherly nations.

Addressing Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade in Baku on Saturday, the prime minister said Pakistan stood “shoulder to shoulder with its Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers,” united by common values and a shared vision for peace and prosperity.

Shehbaz Sharif lauded the sight of Pakistani troops marching alongside Azerbaijani and Turkish contingents as JF-17 Thunder fighter jets flew overhead a powerful testament to the growing defense cooperation and mutual trust among the nations.

He recalled how Azerbaijani and Turkish soldiers had joined Pakistan’s armed forces during Pakistan’s Maarka-e-Haq celebrations on August 14 this year, marking the country’s victory in a four-day conflict with India.

The prime minister praised Azerbaijan’s “courageous sons” for liberating the lands of Karabakh under the “bold and visionary leadership” of President Ilham Aliyev, calling their triumph a “beacon of hope” for oppressed peoples worldwide, including those in Gaza and Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“Throughout this entire struggle for liberation, Pakistan stood like a rock with its brotherly country Azerbaijan,” Shehbaz remarked, reaffirming Islamabad’s steadfast diplomatic and moral support for Baku.

Referring to this year’s brief conflict with India, the prime minister said Pakistan’s armed forces, under Field Marshal Asim Munir, delivered a “precise and highly effective military response” to defend national sovereignty. He also praised Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Baber Sidhu for the Pakistan Air Force’s swift action in downing seven enemy aircraft.

Shehbaz commended Azerbaijan’s post-war reconstruction in Shusha, Khankendi, Fuzuli, and Lachin, describing the progress as “phenomenal.” He also lauded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for transforming Turkiye into a modern strategic and economic powerhouse.

“True victory lies not on the battlefield alone but in building bridges of peace and understanding,” Shehbaz said, applauding President Aliyev’s peace diplomacy and regional development initiatives.

The prime minister further expressed appreciation for former U.S. President Donald Trump for his “bold and decisive leadership” in mediating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India, which he said “prevented a major war and saved millions of lives.”

He also thanked President Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for their roles in promoting dialogue and peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, describing their efforts as a reflection of “strong and time-tested brotherly ties.”

Concluding his remarks, Shehbaz paid tribute to Azerbaijan’s martyrs and extended Pakistan’s heartfelt congratulations on the fifth anniversary of its “glorious victory” in the 44-day Patriotic War.

In his response, President Ilham Aliyev thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan for their unwavering support during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He also expressed deep gratitude to Turkiye, noting that the joint participation of the three nations’ armed forces in the parade symbolized “unity, brotherhood, and friendship.”

Meanwhile, President Erdogan congratulated Azerbaijan on its Victory Day, emphasizing that the triumph marked “not an end but the beginning of enduring peace in the region.” He stressed the importance of enhanced regional connectivity to drive trade and prosperity across the Muslim world.

Azerbaijan celebrates Victory Day on November 8 every year to commemorate its success in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, which ended nearly three decades of Armenian occupation.

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