Federal Minister for Communications and President of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, Abdul Aleem Khan, on Thursday lauded Azerbaijan for its remarkable economic progress and pivotal role in promoting global connectivity through key transport corridors linking Asia and Europe.
Aleem Khan praises Azerbaijan’s economic rise, growing role in global connectivity
ISLAMABAD, May 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications and President of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, Abdul Aleem Khan, on Thursday lauded Azerbaijan for its remarkable economic progress and pivotal role in promoting global connectivity through key transport corridors linking Asia and Europe.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held in Islamabad to celebrate the 108th Independence Day of Azerbaijan, hosted by Ambassador Khazar Farhadov, said a press release.
The event was attended by Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Ministers Musadik Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Farooq Sattar, besides diplomats and other dignitaries.
Deputy Speaker National Assembly Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Senior Minister Punjab Maryam Aurangzeb were also present on the occasion.
In his keynote address, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, commemorating the historic establishment of the Azerbaijan in 1918 and Democratic Republic as the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim World. He emphasized that this milestone is a testament to the indomitable spirit of a nation built on democracy and human rights.
Aleem Khan lauded Azerbaijan’s remarkable economic progress and its pivotal role in advancing global connectivity through the North-South and East-West transport corridors, specifically highlighting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. He noted that Pakistan was among the first to recognize Azerbaijan’s restored independence in 1991. Abdul Aleem Khan paid special tribute to the late Heydar Aliyev for laying the foundations of bilateral ties and praised the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev for evolving this friendship into a robust 21st-century strategic alliance.
Highlighting practical cooperation, the minister pointed to the finalization of the Preferential Trade Agreement and Transit Trade Agreement as evidence of a forward-looking approach to regional integration. He specifically acknowledged President Aliyev’s decision to exempt customs duties on Pakistani rice imports as a gesture of deep-rooted trust. He further noted that increased direct air links have vanished the distance between Islamabad and Baku as nearly 90,000 Pakistanis visited Azerbaijan in the last year alone to experience its legendary hospitality. Concluding his remarks, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reaffirmed the mutual support between the two nations on critical issues of sovereignty. He expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s consistent and principled voice regarding the rights of the Kashmiri people while reiterating Pakistan’s steadfast advocacy for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and its stance on Nagorno-Karabakh.
He thanked the Government in Baku for its unwavering moral and brotherly solidarity during times of conflict, especially in Marka-e-Haq, stating that the unbreakable spirit of both nations ensures a thriving bond for years to come. In the ceremony national songs of both the countries Pakistan and Azerbaijan were played and documentaries were aired on cultural and historic aspects of Azerbaijan.
