Heydar Aliyev: Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations

Relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan are at the level of brotherhood along with fraternal Turkey, Pakistan also supported Azerbaijan. Support provided to Azerbaijan by Pakistan in the 44-day Patriotic War indicates the level of relations among our countries. Pakistan is the sole state that doesn’t recognize Armenia as a state.

The great leader Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to Pakistan and took important steps for the development of relations with this state. The national leader played an important role in establishing and developing Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations.

Along with Turkey, Pakistan is one of the world’s main strategic allies of Azerbaijan. The relations between the two countries have an intensive character within the bilateral and multilateral relations framework.

The great leader said about Pakistan: “Pakistan and Azerbaijan have very good relations and friendly relations. These relations are established on our past historical traditions. It is no coincidence that Pakistan is one of the first states to recognize the independence of our country after Azerbaijan declared its independence. In the following period, especially in recent years, very good relations have been established between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.”

In April 1996, Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan made an official visit to this country at the invitation of Farrukh Ahmad Khan Leghari, the President of Pakistan. Within the framework of the visit, at the signing ceremony of Azerbaijan-Pakistan documents held after the meeting of the national leader with the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, the late Benazir Bhutto, agreements on friendship and cooperation, trade, tax, health, tourism were signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. After that, the relations between our countries have further expanded and the ground has been created for our relations to move forward. 9 agreements signed between the two countries within the framework of the visit have been very seriously important for the future development of Pakistan-Azerbaijani relations.

During the visit, President Heydar Aliyev, who speaks at the banquet given by Benazir Bhutto in honor of Heydar Aliyev, said: “Our talks show that Pakistan-Azerbaijani relations have a great perspective and a future. We can achieve joint achievements in the development of economic relations. I have invited representatives of Pakistan to Azerbaijan for joint work and I am inviting them today. You can be sure that we will not spare our efforts for the development of this cooperation”.

The great leader was also a popular leader in brother Pakistan. Different politicians and scientists of Pakistan have also expressed their opinions about the national leader at different times.

Ahmed Yar Hiraj, a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, and a well-known politician said: “Heydar Aliyev has a great role in modern Azerbaijan reaching today. The work he has done for his people while he was in power is appreciated.

Well-known scientist Niaz Ahmad Akhtar: “Heydar Aliyev is the creator of Azerbaijan, and his work for this country is irreplaceable. In the 1990s, Azerbaijan went through a difficult period. Thanks to Heydar Aliyev, stability and development were achieved in the country. Pakistan is one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence… Pakistan has always supported Azerbaijan’s rightful position. Even if real leaders do not live, people continue to follow their example and continue their legacy. Heydar Aliyev is one of these leaders.”

Currently, the relations among our states have reached the highest level. President Ilham Aliyev is successfully continuing the strategy set by the great leader.

On September 16 last year in Samarkand, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan expressed his satisfaction with the development of our relations in his meeting with Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and pointed out that Azerbaijan and Pakistan are always at each other’s side.

The head of state said that Pakistan’s support to Azerbaijan during the 44-day Patriotic War was highly appreciated. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Pakistan was one of the three countries that did not establish diplomatic relations with this country during the thirty-year occupation of Armenia against Azerbaijan, and this was highly appreciated by our people. The head of state pointed out that our countries cooperate closely within the framework of international organizations, including the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev noted that he highly appreciates Pakistan’s support of Azerbaijan’s initiatives as the chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

First Vice-President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has always attached special importance to the development of relations with Pakistan. With her initiative and leadership, charity events were carried out in Pakistan. Therefore, on March 11, 2015, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was presented with the “Hilal-e-Pakistan” order of Pakistan.

Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva said at the ceremony of presenting the highest state award of Pakistan: “…Azerbaijan and Pakistan are united by strong friendship, cooperation, and strategic partnership relations based on historical and cultural roots. Our countries cooperate in many areas…

I am very glad that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is making consistent efforts in the direction of further expansion of our friendly relations, which express the will of our people, and the existing humanitarian relations between our countries. A number of important projects and charity programs are implemented in different parts of Pakistan…

As the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, I am proud that our Foundation contributes to the strengthening of fraternal relations between our countries. I hope that our activities in Pakistan will continue with the support of both Presidents…”.

Pakistan is one of the main strategic allies of Azerbaijan. The cooperation relations established in the tripartite format of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkey are of great importance, and it is important that these relations continue…