ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Islamabad celebrated Victory Day on Monday night with national songs, a special flash mob, and illuminating Minar-i-Pakistan, Lahore, with the colours of its flag.

November 8 marks the Victory Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan every year.

“Armenia kept Azerbaijani territories under illegal occupation for almost three decades. Armenia ignored the decisions and resolutions of the leading international institutions and continued to illegally occupy almost 20 per cent of the territory.

During the times of occupation, more than one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs),” said Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov while addressing a ceremony.

Khazar Farhadov said Azerbaijanis became the subject of ethnic cleansing. He said the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian troops from occupied territories, but these resolutions were never implemented.

“Two years ago, in 2020 under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev, our army liberated Azerbaijan’s territories from Armenian occupation and Armenia was forced to sign an act of capitulation, acknowledging Azerbaijan’s historic victory,” said the ambassador.

He said Azerbaijan ensured its territorial integrity, and the fundamental rights of nearly one million displaced Azerbaijanis were restored.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was the chief guest at the Victory Day ceremony.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2022