ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has said that Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations have moved beyond traditional diplomatic ties and friendship into a dynamic, multifaceted partnership covering trade, investment, energy, connectivity, defence, information technology and digital transformation.
Addressing a ceremony held to mark the sixth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day, the minister said the occasion reflected an exceptional expression of friendship and solidarity between the two countries. She said Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations were based on mutual trust, respect and shared values.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja expressed satisfaction over growing cooperation between the two countries in the digital sector. She said the Asaan Khidmat Service Centre inaugurated in Islamabad this year with Azerbaijan’s cooperation was a beautiful gift from the President of Azerbaijan to Pakistan and a practical manifestation of friendship between the two countries.
The minister said the establishment of the Asaan Khidmat Service Centre in Islamabad was part of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision. She said that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, the prime minister had set up several facilitation centres where citizens could access multiple services under one roof.
She said that during his visit to Baku last year as prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif visited the Azerbaijan Service Centre, where President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif agreed to establish a similar centre in Islamabad as a symbol of friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
According to the minister, the Azerbaijan Asaan Khidmat Service Centre was established in Sector G-9, Islamabad, in record time following the decision of the leadership of both countries. She invited the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to visit the centre and said it would be an honour for her to personally accompany him.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan was keen to expand the network of Azerbaijan Asaan Khidmat Service Centres and related facilities to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country so that citizens could access convenient and quality public services under one roof, similar to the model in Azerbaijan.
Referring to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in July 2024 in the field of Information and Communication Technologies, the minister said both countries had already made important progress in the sector and remained committed to taking the partnership further.
She also appreciated the role of former Ambassador of Azerbaijan Hazar Farhadov, saying he had played an important part in promoting friendly relations between the two countries. She expressed confidence that bilateral ties would further strengthen and reach new heights under the leadership of the new ambassador.
During her address, the minister referred to last year’s war between Pakistan and India, Marka-e-Haq, and said Pakistan’s Armed Forces had defended the country with courage and resolve under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
She said Pakistan’s success in Marka-e-Haq and the sacrifices rendered by the Armed Forces reflected the true meaning of sacrifice and were an important manifestation of national unity, determination and defence capabilities.
The minister expressed special gratitude to Azerbaijan for its support to Pakistan during Marka-e-Haq, saying Pakistan deeply valued this support. She said Pakistan appreciated Azerbaijan’s continued support and solidarity not only during last year’s events but throughout the year.
She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Chief of Defence Forces and other national leadership had collectively played their role in maintaining global peace and addressing the prevailing complex geopolitical situation.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan took pride in the fact that brotherly countries like Azerbaijan had always stood by Pakistan and demonstrated respect for international law and the principles of global peace.
The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with Azerbaijan to further strengthen the traditional economic partnership while expanding cooperation in defence, information technology and emerging fields, enabling the people of both countries to benefit from the partnership.
At the conclusion of her address, she congratulated the leadership and people of Azerbaijan on the sixth anniversary of Victory Day and conveyed best wishes for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Azerbaijan.
She expressed confidence that Pakistan and Azerbaijan would continue to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations for the better future of their people, and concluded her remarks by saying: “Long Live Pakistan-Azerbaijan Friendship” and “Pakistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Zindabad.”
