Launch of Azerbaijan Airlines in Pakistan boosts people-to-people contacts: Solangi

Islamabad: Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Tuesday lauded the recent launch of Azerbaijan’s national airlines in Pakistan which would further increase people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Addressing the ceremony of the Victory Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the minister said, “It is heartening to note that recently Azerbaijan’s national carrier AZAL has commenced its operations between the two countries. This would definitely contribute in further bringing our people closer.”

In a separate statement,  Murtaza Solangi has underlined the need for strengthening multifaceted and historic bilateral relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Addressing a ceremony in connection with "Victory Day" of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said the two countries have long established brotherly and multilateral relations, which are getting stronger through increased economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts.

Information Minister said bilateral trade between Pakistan and Azerbaijan has increased in recent years and is expected to increase in the near future.

Murtaza Solangi also congratulated the Government and people of Azerbaijan on its Victory Day on behalf of the Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the Government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan.  He said it was on this historic day that Azerbaijan succeeded in liberating its occupied territories after 30 years of occupation.

He also lauded Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev's dynamic leadership, which helped transformed the Republic of Azerbaijan into a regional hub and economic power. 

Murtaza Solangi said Azerbaijan has emerged as a hub for connectivity projects which are central to the North-South and East-West transport corridors. These corridors include the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the Baku-Tbilisi-Karas Railway Communication System. He said these are comprehensive corridors of connectivity, which will play a significant role in the development of the entire region.

Murtaza Solangi said Azerbaijan's national airline AZAL started its operations between the two countries, which is a welcoming step.  He said this air facility will help bring people of the two countries closer.

Information Minister said last year in 2022, more than fifty thousand tourists from Pakistan visited Azerbaijan, which led to the development of contacts not only in the economic sector, but also at the public level.

Murtaza Solangi expressed hope that relations between the two countries will be stronger in the coming years.