Islamabad Hosts Discussion to Honor Azerbaijan’s Black January Martyrs
NAEEM MEHBOOB:
MUSLIM Institute, Islamabad, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, organized a roundtable discussion to commemorate Azerbaijan’s Day of Mourning and honor the martyrs of the tragic events of January 19–20, 1990, known as Black January.
The event, titled “Pakistan–Azerbaijan Brotherhood: Commemorating the ‘Day of Mourning’ and the Martyrs of Black January,” was held on Monday at the National Library, Islamabad.
Keynote speakers included Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, along with Prof. Zameer Awan, Dr. Aalia Sohail Khan, Dr. Samina Yasmeen Amin, Dr. Amna Mahmood and Aynur of the Azerbaijan Center at NUML, Islamabad.
Speakers described Black January as one of the most painful chapters in Azerbaijan’s modern history and examined its political, historical and moral dimensions, noting that the sacrifice of innocent civilians laid the foundation for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and national dignity.
They emphasized that observing Azerbaijan’s Mourning Day in Pakistan reflects the deep-rooted brotherhood between the two countries, built on shared values, mutual respect and a common commitment to sovereignty and independence.
The gathering, attended by diplomats, scholars, policymakers, media representatives and civil society members, also reaffirmed Pakistan and Azerbaijan’s resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across diplomacy, trade, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
