Pakistan observers: Azerbaijan polls given clean bill of health
Aliyev claimed victory for a third consecutive term.
President Ilham Aliyev. PHOTO: REUTERS
BAKU:
After declaring the presidential election in Azerbaijan as ‘free and fair’, the Pakistani election observation mission on Thursday met the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev and congratulated him on his victory.
Aliyev claimed victory for a third consecutive term. The Azerbaijan’s president thanked the Pakistani delegation, comprising members of parliament belonging to six different political parties, for observing the elections. He reiterated his country’s support to Pakistan over Kashmir issue.
President Aliyev assured the team that he would personally look into ways for helping National Bank of Pakistan to open its branch in Baku. The Pakistani delegation had asked him for an exemption on mandatory security deposit of $50 million as requirement for opening the bank branch.
The president of Azerbaijan also agreed on expanding defence cooperation with Pakistan and also expressed Pakistan government’s wish to expand trade relations with Azerbaijan.
“We have a very special relationship with Pakistan and we are grateful for their continued support over the issue of Nagorno- Karabakh,” Aliyev told the delegation led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.
He acknowledged the fact that Pakistan was the third country to recognise Azerbaijan as an independent state.
Hussain conveyed his observation to the Aliyev that the elections were held in a “smooth, peaceful and transparent manner.”
Earlier in a press conference, the Pakistani observer mission declared Azerbaijan elections free and fair.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2013.
After declaring the presidential election in Azerbaijan as ‘free and fair’, the Pakistani election observation mission on Thursday met the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev and congratulated him on his victory.
Aliyev claimed victory for a third consecutive term. The Azerbaijan’s president thanked the Pakistani delegation, comprising members of parliament belonging to six different political parties, for observing the elections. He reiterated his country’s support to Pakistan over Kashmir issue.
President Aliyev assured the team that he would personally look into ways for helping National Bank of Pakistan to open its branch in Baku. The Pakistani delegation had asked him for an exemption on mandatory security deposit of $50 million as requirement for opening the bank branch.
The president of Azerbaijan also agreed on expanding defence cooperation with Pakistan and also expressed Pakistan government’s wish to expand trade relations with Azerbaijan.
“We have a very special relationship with Pakistan and we are grateful for their continued support over the issue of Nagorno- Karabakh,” Aliyev told the delegation led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.
He acknowledged the fact that Pakistan was the third country to recognise Azerbaijan as an independent state.
Hussain conveyed his observation to the Aliyev that the elections were held in a “smooth, peaceful and transparent manner.”
Earlier in a press conference, the Pakistani observer mission declared Azerbaijan elections free and fair.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2013.