Thread by @Dmkt1

" The Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute , Like Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir Issue Is Also A Threat To Regional Peace & Stability "

General Naeem Lodhi

👆🏻 📸 Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi HI (M) , (Retd) - Former Federal Minister of Defense (Pakistan) gave an interview to EuraAsiaAz .

Azerbaijan hosted the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement .

The summit was also attended by President of Pakistan Arif Alvi .

How do you evaluate the outcome of the summit ?

How important is it for our countries ?

Basically , the Non-Aligned Movement unites 120 countries of the world . The core of the foreign political course of these countries is considered to be a refusal to participate in military&political blocs&a peaceful coexistence based on the principles of independence&equality .

Currently , approximately 55% of the world's population lives in countries of the Non-Aligned Movement .

These states possess more than 75% of the world's oil reserves & over 50% of the world’s gas reserves & huge human & natural resources . All this potential can be transformed into a powerful economic force that can influence world developments .

For Azerbaijan , the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku on 25 Oct 2019 , is yet another opportunity to draw the world's attention to the long-standing conflict & it's solution , which is hampered by the intransigence of Armenia .

The chairmanship of the organization will further enhance the role & authority of the Movement in the system of international relations , promoting it's basic principles at the international level ,

stimulating the formation of interstate relations , contributing to the strengthening of peace , security & sustainability of the region .

The President of Pakistan , Arif Alvi made the remarks at the 18th NAM Summit that Azerbaijan’s chairmanship will continue to promote the interests of the NAM member-states .

The President was of the view that today , the world community is facing severe challenges that impede long-term peace . Climate change , inequality , poverty , refugees & many such problems determine the current precarious situation in the world .

These challenges should be addressed adequately . In this regard , the holding of the NAM summit in Baku is extremely timely . Today , the Non-Aligned Movement is the 2nd largest political platform after the UN , uniting in it's ranks the largest number of countries .

It is important for the Non-Aligned Movement to find it's place in the emerging world architecture as a balancing & restraining factor for promoting international peace & security .

Azerbaijan is looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan .

Imran Khan visited Türkiye several times .

Is there any information about his visit to Azerbaijan ?

In your opinion , what issues would the Pakistani side like to discuss with Azerbaijan ?

The Prime Minister of Pakistan , Imran Khan is very keen to construct relations with the Central Asian States & especially with Azerbaijan . Soon he is likely to visit Azerbaijan .

Azerbaijan & Pakistan have been supporting each other at political & diplomatic levels on all international forums . PM Imran Khan’s visit will further strengthen our relations .

Today , Pakistan & Azerbaijan maintain friendly relations & develop bilateral strategic cooperation in many fields including political , military , economy , information & communications , transportation , aviation , tourism , culture & education as well .

The cooperation of our countries in the field of energy will bring bilateral trade to a new level . But the lack of direct geographic links seriously hinders bilateral trade & economic cooperation .

With reference to the current dynamics , trade & economic cooperation between our countries could be much stronger . Pakistan & Azerbaijan are now taking concrete steps to deepen trade as well as economic & military-technical cooperation .

The energy sector will benefit from the supply of Azerbaijani oil & gas to Pakistan . I think that we will soon see the positive results of these efforts .

Azerbaijan in my opinion , should be interested in expanding of politico-military ties with Pakistan , as the experience of Pakistani Forces in defeating terrorism & significant participation in the UN peacekeeping mission throughout the world are widely known & recognizable .

Cooperation between Pakistan & Azerbaijan within the framework of international transport corridors will increase mutual trade between countries , Pakistan will be able to transport its goods to Azerbaijan , Türkiye , Georgia & even Europe .

With the help of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project , Pakistan will be able to cut through a new window to Europe .

We can provide more scholarship programs to each other . We can work together in the field of tourism as well . The education exchange between scholars & professors of different research Universities of both countries can help bring them further closer .

There are quite a few new issues that our countries should discuss . One such important issue is the direct flights between Baku & Islamabad .

The solution to this issue will benefit both countries , not only for the expansion of tourism but also from the point of view of trade & investment . All these issues will probably be discussed during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Azerbaijan .

Azerbaijan & Pakistan are actively cooperating in the field of weapons & military training .

How do you assess the present military cooperation between our countries ?

In your opinion , what modern types of weapons can Pakistan offer to Azerbaijan ?

Regarding the military cooperation between Azerbaijan & Pakistan , it is noted that it is possible to produce weapons for common purposes , as well as laying the foundations of military enterprises .

On the other hand , Pakistan aims to strengthen & further expand it's relations with Azerbaijan in the field of military arms & equipment & training .

Both the countries are the signatories of an agreement on mutual military cooperation . Pakistan is known for it's ability to manufacture small & medium arms , combat & trainer aircrafts , tanks , missiles etc .

Over the past decade , Pakistani military experts trained numerous Azerbaijani military personnel & units . In addition to this , Pakistan & Azerbaijan held bilateral military exercises .

The 2 countries signed a defense agreement in May of 2003 , which allows Azerbaijani military staff , in particular , special force units , to take part in annual military drills along with Pakistani armed forces .

As a part of the agreement , Azerbaijani naval personnel participated in the biggest Pakistani-led multinational exercise , AMAN-2013 , held on March 2013 in the Arabian Sea .

Despite the variety between their military equipment & defense industries , Azerbaijan-Pakistan military cooperation can make a significant contribution in terms of regional security .

Pakistan would like to expand it's footprint into the defense market of Azerbaijan , as it is economically & strategically important for Pakistan to find new avenues to export aircraft , missile systems , tanks & other kinds of military equipment .

A meeting was held between the Azerbaijani & Pakistani defense ministers Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov & Pervez Khattak on 22 March 2019 . They agreed on the point that the relations between Azerbaijan & Pakistan have deep roots .

During that meeting , both sides discussed the development of cooperation in the field of security , as well as military & other spheres & also exchanged views on many other issues of mutual interest .

Pakistan Defence minister gave assurance that the joint exercises of the Azerbaijani & Pakistani Special Forces will be held in the near future .

The Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Ali Alizada has also reiterated his country’s keenness to further strengthen military ties with Pakistan ,

hoping that robust security cooperation with Islamabad helps it deal with it's territorial dispute issues more efficiently . The 2 countries have enough potential to take their bilateral trade to new heights .

Except for the military cooperation , the 2 countries have also deliberated upon to work together in other sectors including agriculture domain .

Pakistan can import agricultural products from Azerbaijan & likewise , Pakistan can export it's agricultural products such as rice , fruits , sports goods & surgical instruments to Azerbaijan to uplift the trade volume .

You were appointed Minister of Defense of Pakistan in 2011 .

Can you tell us how , during your tenure as defense minister , military-technical cooperation between Pakistan & Azerbaijan developed ?

Taking into account their close ties , the current level of military cooperation between Azerbaijan & Pakistan needs to be emphasized .

While Azerbaijan’s defense industry has strategic relations with various countries , Baku has expanded military cooperation with Pakistan in particular over the last years .

Not only the 2 countries shared military cooperation but Azerbaijan had extended its support to Pakistan during natural calamities . Heydar Aliyev Foundation regularly undertakes humanitarian projects in Pakistan .

It has also extended it's support to build girl's schools in the city of Muzaffarabad , Azad Kashmir after 2005 earthquake & also extended assistance to Pakistan in 2010/2011 floods .

The Governments of Azerbaijan & Pakistan are working on to explore new markets to boost exports & to create joint ventures between the counterparts from both sides .

The main reason driving Pakistan-Azerbaijan politico-military cooperation is the fact that Baku is still dealing with unresolved territorial conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region .

The country manufactures the well-known Istiglal sniper rifle , which has been used by Pakistani Special Forces since 2012 . As Pakistan has a very developed defense industry , we can work together to establish joint production in future .

Recently Pakistani Daily Times reported that Pakistan is preparing to export JF-17 fighters to 47 countries including Azerbaijan .

What do you know about this ?

When will Pakistan deliver these fighters to Azerbaijan ?

How effective are these fighters in military operations ?

Pakistan is now contemplating export of high tech equipment to desirous countries in Asia , Middle East & it's traditional defense partners in Africa . Pakistan is all set to export JF 17 Thunder Fighter jets to 4 countries including Azerbaijan .

This has been discussed between the 2 sides for at least a decade but discussions have seemed to pick up steam over the last year . Pakistan also has been promoting the export of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to Azerbaijan .

The subject of Chinese fighter aircraft & other military hardware supplied to Pakistan for exports to 3rd countries figured high on the agenda of Pakistan Army chief’s visit to Beijing .

In 2019–2020 , the mass production of JF-17 Block 3 fighters is scheduled . Furthermore , Pakistan hopes to sell them to Malaysia & Azerbaijan as well .

You know that Azerbaijan lost Nagorno-Karabakh & 7 regions as a result of the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan .

How do you see the solution to this problem ?

Pakistan has opposed the unilateral action of Armenia to change the status quo in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region . Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged Armenia to withdraw it's forces from Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh .

Shah Mahmood Qureshi while addressing a sideline meeting at the 74th session of UNGA in New York said that Pakistan is against the action of any country to change geography , population , economic , social & cultural identity & institutional structure in Nagorno-Karabakh .

Pakistan’s position is that the solution has to be found within the territory of Azerbaijan , complete return of occupied Azeri lands by Armenia in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council &

the withdrawal of Armenian army from Nagorno-Karabakh & adjacent districts along with the return of IDP's & refugees to their homes .

The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute , like Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir issue is also a threat to regional peace & stability . The international community has to play it's due role to resolve the dispute & ensure the repatriation of the displaced people .

Pakistan is one of Azerbaijan’s strongest supporters in the light of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict & it is one of the few countries not recognizing Armenia’s status , due to the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh region by Armenia’s armed forces .

In a similar spirit to that of Pakistan towards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , Azerbaijani leadership remains committed to Pakistan’s position on Kashmir conflict .

Baku’s stand on Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir is based on the same principle that it should be resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions .