BAKU; Azerbaijan is celebrating the 34th anniversary of the restoration of its state independence today, marking a historic moment in the nation’s modern history.
On 18 October 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted the Constitutional Act “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, officially restoring the country’s sovereignty.
The Constitutional Act referred to the original Declaration of Independence issued on 28 May 1918 and the subsequent declaration adopted on 30 August 1991, proclaiming Azerbaijan as the legal successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
The act, comprising six chapters and 32 articles, laid the legal foundation for the country’s independence. A nationwide referendum held on 29 December 1991 confirmed the people’s overwhelming support for independence.
The early years of independence were marked by internal instability and military aggression from Armenia, which hampered state-building efforts. In 1993, National Leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power, ushering in a new era of stability and development.
Under his leadership, strategic projects such as the “Contract of the Century” and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline transformed Azerbaijan’s economy and strengthened its global standing.
President Ilham Aliyev, continuing his father’s vision, led the nation to a decisive victory in the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, liberating territories occupied by Armenia for nearly three decades. In September 2023, Azerbaijan carried out swift counter-terrorism operations in the Karabakh region, restoring full sovereignty over its lands.
Following the historic victory, large-scale reconstruction and development work began in Karabakh and East Zangezur, enabling thousands of displaced Azerbaijanis to return home. Today, the national flag proudly flies over liberated territories, as the country marks this day as a victorious nation.
Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence and has consistently supported Baku in international forums over the years.
