Hilal Ahmad
The people of Azerbaijan and their well-wishers across the globe are celebrating the 100th birth
anniversary of HeydarAliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijan.The late HeydarAliyev was
a great visionary leader who gained fame at international level by his wisdom and statesmanship.
He remained president of Azerbaijan till his death in 2003. The government of Azerbaijan has
declared 2023 as the “Year of HeydarAliyev” to remember his great services for his country and
the region. This important occasion is being celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm in Azerbaijan
and other countries across the globe.The late HeydarAliyev was born in Nakhchivan city of
Azerbaijan on May 10, 1923. Azerbaijan gained independence from former USSR in 1991 and
he played a key role in the liberation and independence of his homeland. He rose to highest
constitutional position in the country and under his leadership Azerbaijan started new mage
projects and got tremendous social and economic development. He struggled hard for uplifting
his countrymen; Azerbaijan saw rapid development in every field during his tenure as the head
of the state.The south Asian country Azerbaijan flourished in the initial years under the
leadershipof HeydarAliyev. The country is far ahead from numerous countries of the globe in all
spheres of life. His foot prints are now being followed by his son the incumbent President of
Azerbaijan IlhamAliyev. HeydarAliyev is considered as a savior of Azerbaijan as he was the sole
leader who was in the forefront for the national freedom and independence of his country.
HeydarAliyev proved his abilities as a visionary leader before and after the independence of
Azerbaijan. He laid the solid foundation of Azerbaijan and took bold and decisive steps for the
development of his country.During his tenure as the President of the country, Azerbaijan
achieved success in different fields. These include natural resources, economy, industry,
agriculture and educational sectors as well as preservation of rich culture of the country.It is
worth to mention that the adoption of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1978 and the
establishment of the Azerbaijani language as the state language are the great services of late
HeydarAliyev.In 1991, the late HeydarAliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Assembly
of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan paving the way for his bigger role in country as a
national leader. Considering his policies, high-speed social and economic development took
place in Azerbaijan and country gained a more strong position at international level including the
Muslim world. In mid-1993, Azerbaijan was at the verge of civil war, at this crucial juncture it
was demand of the people that Mr. HeydarAliyev must be at the helm of affairs of the country in
a leading role. Soon this public demand became a reality and on 15 June 1993, HeydarAliyev
was elected as chairman of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan. Later, on 24 June in the same
year he became President of Azerbaijan. On 03 October 1993, HeydarAliyev was formally
elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in a nationwide election.The embassy of
Azerbaijan in Pakistani capital Islamabad arranged a function to highlight the achievements of
late HeydarAliyev on 2nd May 2023. On this occasion the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to
Pakistan, Mr. KhazarFarhadov addressed the gathering. The function was attended by Ministers,
foreign diplomats, prominent personalities of the civil society and journalists. He said that every
nation has genius personalities who played the role of saviors in the history of national freedom
and independence, those geniuses with their determination led their people behind them and
played the role of victor in the most fateful moments.Mr. KhazarFarhadov said that as a result of
the intense activities of HeydarAliyev, great successes were achieved in the economy, industry,
agriculture, education and culture of the country. Moreover, many industrial enterprises, cultural
and educational centers and medical institutions were built, new mass housing and roads were
built and gas lines were laid in remote areas. He maintained that in those years when
HeydarAliyev led Azerbaijan, the solid foundation of state independence was laid.He said
Pakistan and Azerbaijan have very good and friendly relations. These relations are based on our
ancient historical traditions. It is no coincidence that Pakistan is one of the first states to
recognize the independence of our country after Azerbaijan declared its independence. President
of Azerbaijan IlhamAliyev attaches great importance to Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations, which
were constructed by HeydarAliyev and the ties between the two brotherly countries are at a high
level in all fields.During more than three decades long struggle for the people of Azerbaijan,
HeydarAliyev became popular among the masses and led his people to gain the rights including
the independence. He played a key role in shaping the standard of living in Azerbaijan. He not
only proved his abilities at national but at the international level as well. Despite facing hurdles
and difficult situation, the founder of the Azerbaijan HeydarAliyev succeeded in his mission to
uphold the dignity of his countrymen and achieved the goals set for the development of his
country. After assuming power, Mr. HeydarAliyev eliminated chaos, anarchy, difficult economic
situation and political crisis in Azerbaijan.It is an established fact that the late leader was the
main architect of the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. The Azerbaijani
national leader HaydarAliyev is founder of the brotherly relations between the two countries.
These relations are based on the historical traditions and bonds of common faith. Pakistan was
among the first countries which recognized the Azerbaijan after its independence. In April, 1996,
the Azerbaijani President HaydarAliyev paid an official visit to Pakistan. This visit played an
important role in the friendly relations between the two countries. The then President
HaydarAliyev’s visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan intensified bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and Pakistan. During the visit of late President to Pakistan, many agreements were
signed. They include enhancing friendly relations, trade ties and cooperation in healthcare and to
promote tourism. In recent years Pakistan and Azerbaijan have enhanced bilateral relations in
different fields.Keeping in view the positive role after the establishment of Azerbaijan as a new
state and support extended at the international level including United Nations, Pakistan is
considered the main strategic ally of Azerbaijan in the world after Turkey. Both the countries
share the same views on most issues confronting the region and beyond. Moreover, Pakistan and
Azerbaijan have supported each other on the Kashmir dispute and the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over NagornoKarabakh which was liberated by the Azerbaijan in 2020. Due to the
vibrant policies under the leadership of incumbent President and current Chairman of Non-
Aligned Movement (NAM) Mr. IlhamAliyev, Azerbaijan succeeded in liberating Nagorno-
Karabakh. During the second Nagorno-Karabakh war and earlier, Azerbaijan proved itself
symbol of resilience against foreign aggression as it liberated the Karabakh region under the
valiant leadership of President IlhamAliyev. He had many times reiterated that Azerbaijan will
defend justice and international law. It is worth to mention here that Azerbaijan is having an
important strategic and geographical location. The country is getting its due status among the
nations at the international level due to the vibrant policies of President IlhamAliyev who is son
of the great leader HeydarAliyev. The incumbent and visionary President of Azerbaijan Mr.
IlhamAliyev is following the footprints of his father and the great national leader of Azerbaijan.
This is the main reason Azerbaijan is getting success and achieving new goals at the national and
international level. Azerbaijan is presently heading the 120-member NAM forum which shows
its capability to play country’s due role at the international level. It can be concluded that due to
the principles and solid foundations laid down by the great National Leader late HeydarAliyev,
the Azerbaijan has achieved tremendous success in different fields. It is rapidly becoming hub of
regional and international trade by its fast growing infrastructure, development and a favorite
tourist destination. Azerbaijan is among the economically fastest growing countries in the world
and has become center of international politics.