Azernews.Az

Qabil Ashirov

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Pakistan’s Independence Day was marked in Baku with a ceremony at the Baku office of the Embassy of Pakistan, bringing together officials, diplomats and members of the Pakistani and Azerbaijani communities to commemorate the country’s 79 years of independence. Opening the ceremony, Ambassador of Pakistan to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin reflected on the country’s long struggle for independence, the sacrifices of its forefathers and the achievements Pakistan has made since 14 August 1947.

Pakistan’s independence was not granted easily. It was achieved through a determined political struggle and immense sacrifices by those who envisioned a sovereign homeland. Seventy-nine years later, Independence Day offers an opportunity not only to remember that struggle, but also to consider how Pakistan has sought to translate independence into economic resilience, national security and a greater role in international affairs.

One of the most important developments in recent years has been the government’s efforts to achieve economic stability and move Pakistan towards a more developed economy. The journey remains demanding, but economic stabilisation provides an essential foundation for sustainable growth, investment and improved living standards.

National security remains equally central to Pakistan’s experience. The country’s Armed Forces have demonstrated unwavering resolve in defending Pakistan against external threats. For a state located in one of the world’s most complex geopolitical environments, maintaining security is closely linked to preserving the conditions necessary for economic development and national progress.

Yet Pakistan’s strategic role extends beyond security. Today, Islamabad presents itself as a strong advocate of peace and continues to seek a constructive role amid an increasingly complicated regional environment. Its ambition is to act as a responsible nation and a stabilising force, contributing to global peace, regional cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is an important expression of this evolving strategic role. Beyond its security dimension, the agreement reflects Pakistan’s growing engagement with key regional partners and its emerging strategic weight in a changing geopolitical landscape.

Pakistan’s foreign policy, however, also remains shaped by longstanding questions of justice and self-determination. Islamabad continues to express unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating its principled support for their rights.

For Pakistan, lasting peace in South Asia remains inseparable from a diplomatic resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Whatever the broader geopolitical shifts, Islamabad continues to regard diplomacy and international law as essential to resolving the dispute.

This is also where Pakistan’s relationship with Azerbaijan carries particular significance. Baku has consistently demonstrated strong solidarity with Pakistan on issues of concern, including Jammu and Kashmir. The depth of this relationship goes beyond conventional diplomatic ties, reflecting a broader sense of political trust and mutual support between two brotherly countries.

Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day therefore carries a meaning that extends beyond commemoration. It is a reflection on a country that emerged from a historic struggle, has faced repeated economic and security challenges, and continues to seek a stronger role in regional and global affairs.

For Pakistan and Azerbaijan alike, the years ahead offer an opportunity to build on that friendship through closer political coordination, stronger economic ties and continued support for peace and regional cooperation. The enduring message of Pakistan’s Independence Day is ultimately not only about the past, but about the country’s continuing effort to shape its future.