A Seminar on Azerbaijan – Pakistan Relations: Academic & Socio-Cultural Perspective Wednesday, June 08, 2022 Organised By MUSLIM Institute
MUSLIM Institute organized a seminar on “Azerbaijan–Pakistan Relations: Academic & Socio-Cultural Perspective” celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pak-Azerbaijan Diplomatic Relations on Wednesday, June 08, 2022 at the National Library of Pakistan, Islamabad. The seminar reaffirmed the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. A special cake was cut to celebrate the 30th anniversary of relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries. Mr. Novruz Mammadov Former Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Vice-Rector University of Languages, Baku, Azerbaijan, H.E. Khazar Farhadov Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, Ms. Tamam Jafarova Member of Parliament of Azerbaijan, Brigadier (retd) Abdul Rahman Bilal, Dr. Sarwat Rauf Associate Professor of NUML University Islamabad, Mr. Ahmad Raza Program Manager MUSLIM Institute and Advocate Asif Tanvir Awan Public Relations Associate MUSLIM Institute were speakers on the occasion. Mr. Usama Bin Ashraf, Research Associate MUSLIM Institute, moderated the proceedings of the seminar. Along with the Azerbaijani delegation, researchers, scholars, students, university professors, lawyers, journalists, social activists, and people from different walks of life participated in the seminar.
Honourable Speakers and Guests
Following Hounorable Speakers and Guests addressed the seminar.
Mr. Novruz Mammadov
Former Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Chief Guest
H.E. Khazar Farhadov
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Guest Remarks
Ms. Tamam Jafarova
Member of Parliament, Azerbaijan, Vice Rector University of Languages, Baku, Azerbaijan) Guest Remarks
Brig. Abdul Rahman Bilal (Retd.)
Sitara e Jurat Guest Remarks
Dr. Sarwat Rauf
Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, NUML Islamabad Guest Remarks
Malik Asif Tanveer
Public Relation Associate, MUSLIM Institute Welcome Remarks
Remarks by the Speakers
Brief summary of remarks shared by speakers is as follows:
Pakistan and Azerbaijan, the two brotherly Muslim countries have unique historical, cultural, religious, geographical and political commonalities. Pakistan was the third country that recognized the independence of Azerbaijan back in 1991 right after Turkey and Romania. Thereafter, diplomatic relations were established between both states in 1992. Pakistan was also one of the first countries to open its embassy in Baku. Azerbaijan and Pakistan are true brotherly countries, not only in letter but in spirit also. Both states have always supported each other on national and international issues. For instance, Azerbaijan supports Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir issue and Pakistan has been supporting Azerbaijan’s stance on the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Both countries perpetually exchange high-level interactions at the governmental level. Moreover, Pakistani and Azeri leadership regularly interacts with each other.
Pakistanis remember the great help extended by their Azerbaijani brothers in the 2005 Earthquake and the 2010-2011 floods in Pakistan. An amount of 2 million US dollars was allocated by the government of Azerbaijan to the victims of the floods in 2011. Pakistan also played a vital role in the United Nations Security Council in passing the resolution where it was categorically declared that Nagorno-Karabakh is the part of Azerbaijan. Pakistan extended its multidimensional support to Azerbaijan during its war with Armenia. The people of Pakistan as well as the government of Pakistan expressed their solidarity and support for their brothers in Azerbaijan. During Azerbaijan-Armenia war the Founding Father of MUSLIM Institute Sahibzada Sultan Muhammad Ali, and Chairman MUSLIM Institute Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali extended their moral support to Azeri brothers and also dedicated an international tent pegging event to the martyrs of Azerbaijan to show solidarity with Azerbaijan at a hard time.
People from both countries celebrate Islamic festivals in the similar manner. Both sides also share historical ties. For instance, in Azerbaijan, Multan Caravanserai was built to house the merchants from Multan to visit Azerbaijan. Famous Poet Sahib Tabrizi visited the subcontinent in the 17th century and stayed here for some time. Famous Poet of Azerbaijan Mehmood Shabistri wrote Gulshan-E-Raaz and our National Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal also wrote Gulshan-E-Raaz-E-Jadeed. After the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in 1992, both sides cooperated in diverse fields. In humanitarian perspective, the services of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan are matchless. This foundation offers humanitarian and social projects in the education sector. In recognition of her work, the first lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the highest civilian award of Hilal e Pakistan.
For strong people-to-people contacts, links between universities and think-tanks from both countries are very important. Both sides also work on the promotion of cultural links. Azerbaijan Embassy in Islamabad is trying to extend all possible facilities to Pakistani citizens so that they can get online visas easily just in three hours instead of three days. The introduction of E-Visa system and direct flights from Pakistan to Azerbaijan will further boost people-to-people contacts. Different scholarships are being offered to Pakistani students by Azerbaijani universities (especially by Khazar University and ADA University). There are many opportunities for Pakistani and Azeri students to study scientific research, medical, engineering, and management sciences which can potentially build a knowledge corridor.
The people in Azerbaijan especially the students are very keen to learn about the Pakistani language and culture. This is an interesting fact that Azerbaijani students are learning the national language of Pakistan in their state universities. Learning Urdu is impacting the Azerbaijani students to know about Pakistani culture. Recently, the Azerbaijan Language & Cultural Center in the National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad was inaugurated. It will promote the Azerbaijani language and culture in Pakistan. Similarly, an Urdu Language and Culture Chair will be set up at Azerbaijan Languages University. Moreover, the University of Languages in Baku has an active Pakistan Cultural Center that is playing an important role in promoting the understanding of Pakistan’s culture and literature. It will contribute to Azerbaijan linguistics, Urdu linguistics, and general linguistics science. There are more than 1000 similar words in Azerbaijan, Turkish and Urdu languages indicating the linguistic and cultural similarities.
The masses of both countries are getting closer. This will also help to deepen the relations in other sectors, especially in trade. In 2020, Azerbaijan had trade with Pakistan in the exports of Mineral Products ($1.26M), Textiles ($1.22M), and Vegetable Products ($8.74k). In 2020, Pakistan had a large net trade with Azerbaijan in the exports of Textiles ($4.68M), Chemical Products ($2.32M), and Vegetable Products ($1.51M). However, keeping in view the potential, trade volume is very less between the two countries and should be increased. Since the visa procedure is simplified by the Government of Azerbaijan, cultural ties can be furthered through tourism. The number of visitors from Pakistan to Azerbaijan is growing as the visa procedure is simplified.
The frequency of high-level interaction between the two sides in 30 years is increasing. A long list of MOUs between different sectors has been signed to boost bilateral relations. In 2005 Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed six agreements related to information and communication, transport, aviation, culture, finance, and education. Both states also have a commission that meets every two years to discuss how they can improve the bilateral economic relations. There are branches of the National Bank of Pakistan in Baku and the Pakistani Pharma Industry has also invested in Azerbaijan. There are the areas in which both countries can concentrate primarily on defense systems; both can concentrate on developing defense equipment and the energy sector. Azerbaijan has a lot of expertise in the Oil and Gas sector. Through the regular visits of official delegates, we can create strong cooperation between the two countries for tangible results. Academic cooperation could further strengthen this durable bond and bring socio-economic prosperity to both states. Overall, the strengthening of socio-economic ties and the development of trade and business relations will be beneficial to both. Just like past if we continue to lend a voice of support to each other at international fora, our strength would be doubled.
Question & Answer Session
At the end of seminar, an interactive session was also held and its brief summary is as following:
Pakistan and Azerbaijan always support each other in every issue from first day of Azerbaijan's independence especially at international forums. As Azerbaijan is one of the few members of the Kashmir Contact Group of OIC where this issue is highly supported by member states’ special Contact Group. Pakistan is also one of the few members of Contact Group of OIC in case of aggression against Azerbaijan. Both mutually support each other in every field and Azerbaijan’s position on Kashmir is that it would like to see this problem solved as per United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
