Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir has been honoured with Azerbaijan’s prestigious Patriotic War Medal for his significant contributions to bilateral military cooperation. The medal was conferred by Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister Colonel General Karim Valiyev during his visit to General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday.
The award, established in 2002, is given to individuals — both Azerbaijani and foreign — for strengthening military ties with Azerbaijan. The medal was awarded on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev, recognising COAS Munir’s “exceptional services in the field of military cooperation.”
General Valiyev also commended Pakistan’s efforts in counterterrorism and reiterated Baku’s commitment to deepening defence collaboration with Islamabad. Upon his arrival, he was presented with a guard of honour by the Pakistan Army.
Strengthening Defence Ties Between Pakistan and Azerbaijan
During the meeting, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including the global and regional security situation. COAS Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong brotherly relations with Azerbaijan and expressed the desire to further enhance bilateral defence ties. He also congratulated Azerbaijan on its recent peace agreement with Armenia.
Valiyev praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces, particularly during Operation Marka-i-Haq and Bunyanum Marsoos, and extended best wishes for Pakistan’s upcoming Independence Day.
Both leaders expressed a mutual commitment to regional peace and continued military cooperation. Notably, in 2023, COAS Munir visited Azerbaijan to deepen military ties, and Azerbaijan later signed a $1.6 billion deal with Pakistan for JF-17 Block III fighter jets.
