ISLAMABAD, November 4, 2026: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for its support during last year’s Pakistan-India conflict, known as Marka-e-Haq, while reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defence and technology.
Addressing a ceremony marking the sixth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan deeply valued Azerbaijan’s solidarity and regarded the relationship as a partnership built on mutual trust, respect and shared interests.
She said cooperation between the two countries had expanded beyond traditional diplomatic relations to include energy, connectivity, information technology and economic development.
Referring to the 2025 conflict with India, Shaza Fatima praised the role of Pakistan’s armed forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
She said the country’s defence efforts reflected national unity and determination, adding that Azerbaijan’s support during the conflict held particular significance for Pakistan.
The minister also highlighted growing collaboration in digital governance, particularly the establishment of the Azerbaijan Asaan Khidmat Service Centre in Islamabad’s G-9 sector.
She described the facility, developed with Azerbaijan’s assistance, as a symbol of friendship between the two countries and a practical example of cooperation in improving public services.
According to Shaza Fatima, the initiative followed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to an Azerbaijani public service centre in Baku last year, where he and President Ilham Aliyev agreed to establish a similar facility in Islamabad.
She said the centre reflected the prime minister’s approach to integrated public service delivery, which he had previously pursued through facilitation centres during his tenure as Punjab chief minister.
The government now intends to expand the model to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other areas to improve citizens’ access to essential services.
The minister also referred to the memorandum of understanding signed between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in July 2024 on information and communication technologies, saying both countries had made progress in strengthening digital cooperation.
She appreciated the contribution of former Azerbaijani ambassador Hazar Farhadov to bilateral relations and expressed confidence that cooperation would continue to grow under the new ambassador.
Shaza Fatima said Pakistan and Azerbaijan would pursue stronger economic partnerships and expand collaboration in defence, information technology and emerging sectors to deliver practical benefits to their people.
Congratulating Azerbaijan’s leadership and citizens on Victory Day, she expressed hope for continued peace, development and prosperity in the country.