ISLAMABAD, JAN 18 (DNA) –Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada has said  Jan 20 marks 28 years of restoration of independence of Azerbaijan and we salute and pay rich homage to our martyrs who gave their lives for the independence of the country and honour their courage in the face of overwhelming grief.

He made these remarks on the occasion of a seminar helda t the Iqra University.

He said, 72 years ago, the movement for independence began also in Pakistan under the leadership of the great Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and today taking this opportunity I am also honored to pay rich tribute to the Shuhadas of our brotherly country Pakistan as well.

He said Commemoration Day of the Martyrs of Azerbaijan that falls on date January 20 remained in the memory of the people of Azerbaijan as a day of  sorrow, but at the same time mostly day of pride.

Since 1988 the national movement for liberty grew and in 1990, the independence movement acquired an active role in Azerbaijan and hundred thousands of people leaving everything behind joined a cause that promised them a secure future and this day-January 20, went down in history of Azerbaijan as the struggle for the freedom and territorial integrity, for independence of Azerbaijan, as a heroism page.

The brave sons and daughters laid down their lives to defend the soil that their ancestors fought for to achieve and they gave their today for our tomorrow, for our future.

Starting from 1987, at that time the Soviet Union’s sowing seeds of ethnic discrimination reached its peak.

During 1988-89 the Azerbaijanis who were living in Armenia were forced to leave Armenia and in the course annexation of part of our lands to Armenia, finally, giving  Daghlig Garabagh, the integral part of Azerbaijan to Armenia as a gift  exhausted our  people’s patience.

As a result of all these injustices the struggle for national liberation started,  with demonstrations and rallies in protest  to the Armenian separatism in Daghlig Garabagh. This policy of Soviet Union’sleadership and territorial claims made by Armenia against Azerbaijan escalated socio -political situation in the  region.

At that time, Soviet mass media did not even mention that tragedy, and crime passed over in silence. Azerbaijan was kept in the information blockade and most of the politicians were afraid from anger of soviet leadership and only by the statement of Heydar Aliyev condemning the bloody crime committed  in Baku the international community could get real information about this tragedy, bloody and ominous incident that took place.

The day of January 20, 1990 became  the Day of Proud in our history which united the people of Azerbaijan into a community of citizens of an independent nation and strengthened their resolve to achieve that independence. It became a page of heroism in the history of the struggle for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and united, we restorated finally our independence in 1991.

We regained independence but unfortunately we are still suffering from armenian terrorism and extremism. 20% of our territories are still under occupation. Every month the brave soldiers of Azerbaijan Army, innocents civilians, women, children lose their lives as a result of armenian provocation and terrorism in the line of control.

And as a country suffered from terrorism a lot Pakistan understand the pain of Azerbaijan and Pakistan has gave also a lot sacrifices in war against terrorism and extremism. I extend my deepest thanks to Pakistan which showed brotherly approach supporting fair position of Azerbaijan all these years and didn’t recognize aggressor country Armenia as a state. We greatful and value this brotherly approach.

We know that the nations which want to live with honor and dignity should make sacrifices.We need always to remember that our today’s life in sovereign country, our prosperity, our ability to chase our aims and dreams with full and complete independence are the results of many sacrifices given by brave sons and daughter of our countries. The heroism and sacrifices of the martyrs steadfastly remain as signs of honor and pride for the people of Azerbaijan and Pakistan who will always stand in recognition, respect, and gratitude for the faithful martyrs.

This event marks also our deep appreciation for the martyrs who now live on in the brightest pages of our history. The martyrs, who answered the call of duty and gave their lives in defence and for the independence of their countries have risen to the highest ranks and they are always in heart of nations.=DNA

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