At the Azerbaijan Victory Day Parade, the prime minister promises to uphold Pakistan’s geographical integrity.
Speaking at the Victory Day Parade in Azerbaijan on Saturday, which commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Karabakh war, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing the nation’s resolute response during the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May.
The prime minister referred to Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye as “three brothers whose hearts beat together” while speaking at the parade with Turkiye and Azerbaijani contingents.
As a sign of enduring friendship that has grown stronger over time, he explained how the nations stood side to shoulder to watch their armies march in unison.
PM Shehbaz recalled Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations on August 14, saying that Turkiye and Azerbaijani contingents marched with Pakistani forces to honor the country’s independence and milestones like the Marka-e-Haq.
He commended the professionalism of Pakistan’s military forces, which are led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff.
“Under the fearless and dynamic leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s highly skilled military forces gave our enemy a bloody nose with a precise and extremely effective military punch that left the enemy stunned and incredulous,” he said.
He declared, “In defense of the motherland, our ever-vigilant Air Force hawks, led by Air Chief Marshall Zaheer Babar Sidhu, aptly shot down seven highly sophisticated enemy planes with lightning speed.”
The prime minister emphasized that although Pakistan wants peace, it will not permit any threat to its territorial integrity or sovereignty.
The US President Donald Trump’s outstanding leadership, which contributed to the accomplishment of these peace initiatives, was particularly recognized and praised by the prime minister.
He added that the truce between India and Pakistan, which restored peace in South Asia, was a direct result of President Donald Trump’s audacious and courageous leadership.
PM Shehbaz honored the bravery of Azerbaijani military led by President Ilham Aliyev during the liberation of Karabakh by reciting poems by Allama Iqbal.
He referred to the city of Shusha as the “jewel of Karabakh” and praised the quick rehabilitation of the freed areas.
For countries battling persecution, such as Gaza and India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said Azerbaijan’s victory is a ray of hope.
He also praised Qatar and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey for helping to facilitate peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban.
Following a minute-long silence in honor of the Karabakh conflict martyrs, the national anthems of Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey were performed during the procession.
Alongside Azerbaijani military, contingents from Pakistan and Turkey marched, and the ceremonial spectacle was enhanced by a flypast of JF-17 Thunder jets.
Pakistan will continue to stand strongly with its allies in Azerbaijan and Turkey, PM Shehbaz said in closing, reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional solidarity, strategic alliances, and the defense of national sovereignty.