Pakistani troops and JF-17 aircraft to participate in Azerbaijan Victory Day parade: Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that Pakistani troops and JF-17 Thunder aircraft 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 participate in the Victory Parade today celebrating the liberation of Karabakh,” the minister said.

Read: Shehbaz leaves for two-day visit to Azerbaijan

Tarar made these remarks in response to a post by Pakistan’s 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 Interservice Public Relations (ISPR), the drill, titled Indus Alpha Shield — was designed to strengthen operational coordination, tactical synergy and mutual understanding between the air forces of the two countries.

Shehbaz arrived in Baku that same day 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 Pakistani Ambassador Qasim Mueenuddin. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accompanied the prime minister.

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

Read 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 peoples fighting for self-determination”, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, illegally occupied by India, and Palestine.

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

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

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy long-standing brotherly 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, part of Islamabad’s broader diplomatic outreach aimed at bolstering economic and strategic partnerships across the Muslim world.