Pakistani troops, JF-17 planes to take part in Victory Day parade in Azerbaijan, says Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that Pakistani troops and JF-17 Thunder jets would take part in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade later in the day.

Victory Day, celebrated annually on November 8 since 2020, celebrates Azerbaijan’s success in the Karabakh liberation war against Armenia, which lasted 44 days.

“Long live the friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Pakistani troops and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets will take part in the victory parade celebrating the liberation of Karabakh today,” the minister said.

Read: Shehbaz leaves for two-day visit to Azerbaijan

Tarar made the remarks in response to a post from the Pakistan Embassy in Baku on social media platform

Last month, a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) contingent, comprising JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets along with experienced air and ground crews, arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in a joint air combat exercise.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise — titled Alpha Indus Shield — was designed to strengthen operational coordination, tactical synergy and mutual understanding between the air forces of the two countries.

Shehbaz arrived in Baku earlier today at the invitation of President Aliyev to attend Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations. Upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, he was received by First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov, First Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev and Pakistan Ambassador Qasim Mueenuddin. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accompanied the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a wide-ranging meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Presidential Palace in Baku on Friday, in the presence of Chief of Army Staff Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in the areas of defence, trade and regional connectivity.

Learn more: Prime Minister Shehbaz arrives in Baku to attend Azerbaijan Victory Day celebrations

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the leaders and people of Azerbaijan on their national victory, calling it “a beacon of hope for all oppressed people struggling for self-determination”, including those in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

The two leaders agreed to deepen multidimensional cooperation in different sectors, including politics, trade and investment, energy, defense and connectivity. Shehbaz also invited President Aliyev to visit Pakistan as soon as possible – an invitation graciously accepted by the Azerbaijani leader. Acknowledging the progress made in the South Caucasus, the Prime Minister praised the leadership of President Aliyev and the historic peace agreement signed with Armenia earlier this year.

The Azerbaijani President in turn thanked Pakistan for its unwavering support during Baku’s just struggle to liberate the Karabakh region and for its constructive role in promoting regional stability.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy long-standing fraternal ties, with cooperation spanning regional and international forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the United Nations. The trip follows the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, which are part of Islamabad’s broader diplomatic efforts to strengthen economic and strategic partnerships across the Muslim world.