Baku, November 8, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Saturday 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 premier said, “Just like our Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers, Pakistanis seek peace. But let there be no doubt — no one can ever be allowed to challenge our sovereignty or territorial integrity.”
The parade marked the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day, celebrated on November 8 to commemorate the country’s triumph in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War (2020), which led to the liberation of Azeri territories after nearly 30 years of Armenian occupation.
The event was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan are “three brotherly nations whose hearts beat together.” He added that the three countries are now “standing shoulder to shoulder, celebrating this momentous occasion.”
The prime minister paid tribute to Azerbaijan’s armed forces and leadership, recalling how “the courageous sons of Azerbaijan, under the bold and visionary command of President Ilham Aliyev, responded to the call of history.”
He said the liberation of Karabakh was a “glorious vindication of a just cause — a beacon of hope for all nations striving for sovereignty and self-determination, including the people of Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
PM Shehbaz added that Pakistan “stood like a rock” with Azerbaijan throughout its struggle for liberation and continues to share in its pride and joy.
In a notable acknowledgment, the prime minister thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as “exemplary leadership” in helping achieve the ceasefire between Pakistan and India during the four-day conflict in May this year.
“It was President Trump’s bold and decisive leadership that brought about the ceasefire, restoring peace in South Asia, averting a major war, and saving millions of lives,” he said.
PM Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to Turkish President Erdoğan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for their “invaluable contribution” in facilitating peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, describing it as proof of “strong and time-tested fraternal ties.”
The prime minister lauded Pakistan’s military leadership for their performance during the May conflict, saying, “Under the dynamic and fearless command of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, our armed forces delivered a precise and highly effective military punch that stunned the enemy into disbelief.”
He added that Pakistan’s Air Force, led by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Baber Sidhu, shot down seven enemy aircraft “in defence of the motherland.”
As the JF-17 Thunder jets roared overhead during the parade, PM Shehbaz said the sight of Pakistani, Turkish, and Azerbaijani troops marching together symbolised “our enduring friendship, which has grown stronger with every passing year.”
He also commended the return of displaced families to Karabakh, praising President Aliyev’s commitment to the welfare and progress of his people.
“True victory lies not only on the battlefield but in building bridges of peace and understanding,” he said.
In his remarks, President Ilham Aliyev thanked Pakistan and Turkiye for their “unwavering support” during the 44-day war with Armenia.
“The presence of our military personnel marching together reflects our unity, brotherhood, and friendship,” Aliyev said, expressing gratitude to PM Shehbaz for attending the ceremony and to the people of Pakistan for their solidarity.
