Pakistan backs Azerbaijan as Baku asks Armenian troops to disarm in Karabakh

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan on Wednesday reaffirmed its "unwavering" support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Responding to a reporter’s question on an anti-terrorism operation launched this week by Azerbaijani forces in the Karabakh region, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zehra Baloch said Islamabad considers Karabakh the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan,

"Pakistan extends its heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Azerbaijan for the loss of precious lives in the mine explosions inside the Azerbaijani territory," she added.

She said Islamabad 's stance aligns "firmly with multiple UN Security Council and OIC resolutions, as well as international law," referring to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

"We hope that Azerbaijan's legitimate claim regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity will be accepted by all sides, making way for lasting peace in the region," she added.

Baku launched counter-terrorism activities in Karabakh, which the Defense Ministry said have been suspended under an agreement.

Azerbaijan has been assured on the disarmament of illegal Armenian forces in Karabakh and the withdrawal of units of Armenia’s armed forces, Baku said Wednesday.

The counter-terrorism measures were launched to uphold provisions outlined in a trilateral peace agreement with Russia and Armenia to end a 2020 conflict.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

In the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan liberated several cities, villages and settlements from Armenian occupation during 44 days of clashes. The war ended with a Russia-brokered cease-fire.