Seminar on “Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing – Khojaly 25” Organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the Embassy of Azerbaijan February 21, 2017

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Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the Embassy of Azerbaijan organized a seminar on “Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing – Khojaly 25” at ISSI on Feb 21, 2017. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman, Senate Defence Committee. Other dignitaries of the seminar included Ms. Shazia Fatima Khawaja, MNA and Convener of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group and Dr. Muhammad Khan, former HoD, Dept. of IR, NDU. President ECO Science Foundation Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro also participated in the seminar.

Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors of ISSI, in his welcome remarks stated that the Khojaly genocide was one of the most tragic events of Azerbaijan’s history. He said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan are linked by histories and intense exchange of thinkers. Pakistan has provided endless support to Azerbaijan and has consulted its efforts with Azerbaijan in highlighting this tragedy.

“The Khojaly genocide of the 20th century is one of the most serious crimes in history not only against the people of Azerbaijan but humanity as a whole”, stated by H.E. Ali Alizada, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his keynote address.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed stated that Pakistan has given unreserved support to Azerbaijan. He highlighted the commonality between the situations in Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh. Pakistan and Azerbaijan have a solid history and in the future there needs to be greater coordination between both countries especially on the issues of Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh. He stressed on the urgency of both countries taking up a joint research initiative so as not to be left behind in the battle of ideas.

Concluding the Seminar, the Chairman ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, stated that the refugees need to be rehabilitated immediately to their homes and the atrocities need to end. He said that the principle position of both countries on humanitarian issues demonstrates their fidelity to international law and upholding of human rights and international human law and serves to reinforce the deep bonds of friendship between the two nations.