20 January tragedy commemorated in Pakistan
Islamabad, Hilal Ahmad, January 21, AZERTAC
To commemorate Azerbaijan’s Day of Mourning and honor the martyrs of the tragic events of January 19–20, 1990, remembered as Black January, the MUSLIM Institute of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Islamabad, organized a roundtable discussion on Tuesday.
The event, titled “Pakistan–Azerbaijan Brotherhood: Commemorating the ‘Day of Mourning’ and the Martyrs of Black January,” was held at the National Library in the federal capital. Diplomats based in Islamabad, members of civil society, journalists, scholars, and academics attended the discussion.
Speakers recalled that on the night of January 19–20, 1990, Soviet military forces entered Baku and other cities of Azerbaijan, resulting in the martyrdom of 147 people, injuries to 744 others, and the arrest of hundreds. They described Black January as one of the most painful and defining chapters in Azerbaijan’s modern history.
Those who addressed the gathering included the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov; the Head of the Azerbaijan Center at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, Ms. Aynur; and prominent scholars and analysts such as Dr. Amna Mahmood, Dr. Samina Yasmeen Amin, Prof. Zameer Awan, and Dr. Aalia Sohail Khan.
The speakers highlighted the great sacrifice of the innocent civilians of Azerbaijan, stating that their martyrdom laid the moral foundation for the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity. They emphasized that the events of January 20 deserve international political and legal recognition as a grave violation of human rights.
Participants also noted that commemorating the Day of Mourning in Pakistan holds special significance, as it symbolizes the deep-rooted, time-tested brotherhood between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. The two countries share a relationship based on mutual respect, shared values, and a common understanding of the importance of sovereignty and independence.
The discussion reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan and underscored Pakistan’s continued support for Azerbaijan’s just position on matters of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
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