NUST Islamabad Hosts Azerbaijan Remembrance Day to Honor Martyrs of Patriotic War

Islamabad: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Friday lashed out at what he termed the “ongoing genocide in Gaza” and the silence of the international community, accusing the West of applying double standards that have repeatedly failed Muslim nations in times of crisis.

He was speaking at the Remembrance Day event , titled” September 27 – Remembrance Day: Glorious Heroism.”organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan at the Heydar Aliyev Auditorium, NUST University

The conference was attended by The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan is Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Türkiye to Pakistan İrfan Neziroğlu, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Mr. Alisher Tukhtaev, senators, scholars, NUST faculty and students, representatives of think tanks, media, and NGOs, Azerbaijani nationals residing in Pakistan, and embassy staff.

The event began with a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs, followed by the playing of both nations’ anthems. A commemorative video presenting detailed insights into the significance of Remembrance Day was then screened.

Senator Mushahid said the plight of Palestinians underscored the need for Muslim nations to rely on their own strength to protect sovereignty.

He declared that the independence of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital, would remain the ultimate litmus test for global justice.

The senator praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a leader of the Muslim world and the Global South, while lauding Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for his decisive leadership in liberating Azerbaijani territories from decades of Armenian occupation. He recalled how Muslim nations had historically been left to fend for themselves, citing Cyprus in 1974 and Pakistan’s pursuit of nuclear capability as key examples. Mushahid also criticized European leaders, particularly Germany, for backing Israeli aggression, arguing that international guarantees remain ineffective when shaped by religious bias.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, in his address, said September 27 marked a day of great heroism and sacrifice for Azerbaijan as it commemorates the beginning of the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020. He said the war, conducted under the right to self-defense and in line with international law, restored Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and upheld the rights of nearly one million displaced Azerbaijanis.

Ambassador Farhadov praised the courage of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces under President Aliyev’s leadership and acknowledged the political support extended by Pakistan and Turkey. He underlined that Pakistan’s principled stance during the conflict provided his country with additional strength in its just struggle.

The envoy also highlighted the extensive illegal activities carried out by Armenia during its occupation, including landmines, destruction of cultural and religious heritage, plundering of resources, and violations of international law. He called for Armenia to be held accountable under international humanitarian and human rights law.

Emphasizing Azerbaijan’s commitment to peace, Ambassador Farhadov noted that Baku initiated a peace agreement with Armenia in Washington in August, stressing that long-term stability in the South Caucasus rests on dialogue and partnership. Paying tribute to Azerbaijani martyrs, he said their sacrifice paved the way for sovereignty, security, and regional prosperity.

The event was also addressed by NUST Pro-Rector Maj Gen (R) Arif Malik, Ambassador Ayaz, Adam Saud, and Khalid Taimur Akram.