The Pakistan Newswire
June 8, 2006 Thursday
Pakistan supports rightful position of Azerbaijan: Ambassador Hafiz
Pakistan’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohammad Hafiz during his visit
Thursday to Tovuz region bordering Armenia has said that the
government of Pakistan supports the rightful position of Azerbaijan
both individually and in the frames of international organizations.
Pakistan will continue to support Azerbaijan until peace is
established in the region, he added.
The objective of my visit to the villages of Tovuz region on border
with Armenia is to familiarize with the living conditions of people
here, Mohammad Hafiz said adding that population living near the
border demonstrate great courage. They are standing bravely and
courageously face to face with Armenians in a very difficult
situation and have not betrayed their motherland,” Hafiz said
according to Azerbaijan’s official news agency.
Pakistani Ambassador said Tovuz is not situated on the conflict zone
but on border with Armenia, adding that the cease-fire is often
violated here even in peaceful period, the ambassador called this
situation horrible. “This is terrible situation, the international
community should influence on the opposite side to guarantee freedom
and quiet living of these people. The government of Pakistan supports
the rightful position of Azerbaijan both individually and in the
frames of international organizations. Pakistan will continue to
support Azerbaijan until peace is established in the region.
As a representative of Pakistan, I will try to visit other regions on
border as much as possible. It is very important for me to get to
know the situations in the regions,” he said.
Mr. Hafiz also said Pakistan has no cooperation relations with
Armenia, “We are not cooperating with Armenia. We have not
established any economical, political and diplomatic relations with
Armenia for its having occupied Azerbaijan’s territories. Pakistan
has not established its embassy in Armenia as we back Azerbaijan in
this matter. Pakistan has always been together with Azerbaijan and
will further being,” the Ambassador underlined.
APA, the official news agency reported that the ambassador first
visited the Martyr’s Alley in the centre of the region. Tovuz
governor Hamid Baghirov received the Pakistani ambassador and
parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva. Baghirov and Ms. Pashayeva informed
the ambassador about the strategic location of Tovuz and the problems
of the region bordering on Armenia. The region’s governor said though
Tovuz is not in Nagorno Garabagh which is subject to Armenians’
territorial claim, Armenians often fire on peaceful residents and
their houses in the villages of the region bordering on Armenia.
Mr. Qadir presented Governor Hamid Baghirov with a silver sword.
Baghirov thanked to the ambassador for accepting the invitation to
visit Tovuz and presented him with Azerbaijani folk musical
instrument saz.
Following this, Mr. Hafiz accompanied by Ganira Pashayeva visited
Alibayli village of Tovuz bordering on Armenia.
600 of 800 houses in Alibayli village have been destroyed by
Armenians during the war and the cease-fire. 200 houses and 30%-40%
of the destroyed houses in the village are populated at present.
Meeting the villagers, the Pakistani ambassador was interested in
their conditions.
Mohammed Hafiz and Pashayeva met with soldiers of Azerbaijani Army
after that. The visitors arrived at the secondary school named after
National Hero Gasim Rzayev in Hajiili village. This village often
becomes subject to Armenian bullets. There are bullet holes on the
door and walls of the school.