Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that Pakistan desires peace but will never allow anyone to challenge its sovereignty or undermine its territorial integrity. Addressing Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade in Baku, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to peace while warning that the country’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan seeks peace but will never compromise sovereignty, highlighting that Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan share deep brotherly ties rooted in mutual respect, faith, and history. “Just like their Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers, Pakistanis seek peace, but let there be no doubt — no one can ever be allowed to challenge our sovereignty or undermine our territorial integrity,” he said before a grand audience in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Victory Day, celebrated on November 8, marks the country’s 2020 triumph in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, which led to the liberation of its territories after nearly three decades of Armenian occupation. The event was attended by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, symbolizing a powerful display of regional solidarity.
PM Shehbaz praised the leadership of President Aliyev and the courage of the Azerbaijani armed forces in reclaiming Karabakh, calling it a glorious chapter in modern history. “Throughout this struggle, Pakistan stood like a rock with its brotherly country, Azerbaijan,” he stated, extending heartfelt felicitations from the people of Pakistan on the fifth anniversary of the victory.
The prime minister described Azerbaijan’s triumph as a vindication of justice and a beacon of hope for oppressed nations striving for sovereignty and self-determination, including the people of Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
PM Shehbaz also commended the unity among Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan, recalling how the three nations stood shoulder to shoulder during Pakistan’s four-day war with India earlier this year. He expressed gratitude to Turkiye’s President Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for supporting regional peace efforts, especially in Afghanistan.
In a notable remark, PM Shehbaz extended thanks to former US President Donald Trump for his “exemplary leadership” that helped secure the Pakistan-India ceasefire, averting what could have been a major regional conflict. “It was President Trump’s bold and decisive leadership that brought about the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, restoring peace in South Asia and saving millions of lives,” he said.
The parade featured Pakistani troops and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, a moment the prime minister described as “a proud and scintillating sight.” The participation symbolized Pakistan’s enduring friendship with Azerbaijan and Turkiye. PM Shehbaz recalled that earlier this year, Azerbaijani and Turkish contingents marched proudly alongside Pakistani forces during the Maarka-e-Haq celebrations in Islamabad.
The prime minister lauded Pakistan’s armed forces for their remarkable professionalism and valor during the recent conflict with India. “Under the fearless command of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, our armed forces delivered a powerful and precise military response that stunned the enemy. Our air force, under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Baber Sidhu, shot down seven enemy aircraft with lightning precision,” he said.
He expressed optimism about the future, noting the return of displaced families to Karabakh and commending President Aliyev’s commitment to rebuilding the liberated regions. “True victory lies not only on the battlefield but also in building bridges of peace and understanding,” he remarked.
President Ilham Aliyev, in his speech, expressed gratitude to Pakistan and Turkiye for their unwavering support during the 44-day war, calling the joint presence of their military personnel in the parade a reflection of unity, brotherhood, and enduring friendship.