By Ms. Mehreen Gul, Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS),

Islamabad & Eurasian Expert

A Person who is an influencer in the Caucasus and remains in the hearts of the people.History is evident about the figures who conquered the true essence of leadership and achieved the status in the world’s history as legends. Heydar Aliyev’s vision, commands, and his incremental influence is reflecting in the contemporary prosperous structure of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This article is dedicated to the 97^thBirth Anniversary of “H.E HEYDAR ALIYEV” who entered the history of Azerbaijan as a builder of an independent state. He was born on 10^th May 1923 in Nakhchivan. The article aims to analyze the interpersonal influence that he exercised in the development of his country and the people when the country needed an articulation of a standardized structure for the country.

In every sphere, he made remarkable efforts to save Azerbaijan. On the loss of the great leader, the world consolidated with excellent remarks for Heydar Ali as he had formulated long term solutions and strategy for Azerbaijan.

The initial struggle of Heydar Aliyev:

From ancient times to the declaration of independence Azerbaijan was in a struggle for its people, land, and resources. Heydar Aliyev was an active figure since 1939 when his career was impeded in World War II. His contributions were in various departments from the Archive Department of the people’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs, as a Head of the General Department of the council of Commissars of Nakhchivan to the Head of the Department of State Committee of Azerbaijan.

Heydar Aliyev remained a member of the Supreme Soviets of the USSR for twenty- two years and in Azerbaijan SSR. It was the time when Azerbaijan had to devise a strategy for the survival of an independent nation. In the 1990s deadly tragedy in Baku, this valorous man demanded punishment to the executors of the crime at Azerbaijan’s representative office in Moscow and left the party for his homeland.

The journey for his struggle wasn’t consisted of small steps but it took many years. Meanwhile, the people of Azerbaijan were aware of his position in several important parties and they elected him as a president in 1993.

A period of hope, stability, and peace

Since world war II, Heydar Aliyev had fought for the country as the main issue was stability in the region. After the establishment of Heydar Aliyev Government in Azerbaijan people could gain confidence and optimism. The vision of this inspirational leader was very conspicuous he said

“Our path is clear, the system of government and style of society we are developing in Azerbaijan is based ondemocratic pluralism, the free market economy, and a secular republic that respect universal human rights.”

Clarity of a vision and building a strong communication mechanism to develop confidence in the nation was well handled by the newly elected president.

Civil war and other internal conflicts were destabilizing the peace of the country but in Heydar’s presidency, significant steps were taken to contain the civil war. Soon after the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, the president committed to restoring the ancient tradition and values of the country. Without the effective style of his leadership peace efforts were unattainable in Azerbaijan.

Negotiations to Manage the Territorial Conflicts:

The beginning of the independence was in danger and had many conflicts because it has the sensitive border issues. Armenian’s illegal involvement and breaching the international laws were threatening the peace of newly established Heydar Aliyev state. To build an independent state, stabilizing security in the region and territorial rectitude were focused. Armenian aggression was halting the peace and stability yet the incumbent leader had maintained the control. The national leader made several talks with Armenian leaders to curb the violence, his efforts were to bring peace and stability but the violation of Armenian troops got inflamed, here this is very important to remember that in the era of constant crisis the great leader didn’t lose hope and made the country’s development possible and gained the political stability. Through his intellectual stimulation he strived hard to make the country’s pillar strong. To manage the situation, he made significant attempts to amplify the foreign policy. He believed in multilateralism for a balanced relationship with the countries.

Crisis Couldn’t Stop Heydar Aliyev to Recover the Economic Imbalance

In Heydar point of view “a country even the greatest one, can develop its economy. Keeping in mind the predicament survival of the economy was a dire need. Leadership is very difficult in an unpleasant environment to organize and solve the problems, though problem-solving is a key. For this purpose, he made personal endeavors to establish a friendly relationship with the USA and Azerbaijan, both the countries also cooperated to fight against terrorism in the region. Meanwhile, his position and struggle had attracted a large volume of foreign investment for economic development. The only way to defend Azerbaijan was through sustainable economic development” oil sector contracts” this strategy had captured international attention as the geostrategic value was considerable to the world. The new era of modern, powerful, and development had started. Through mapping out, he planned the best strategy for economic prosperity. The Joint Development and production sharing for the Azeri and Chirag Field and Gunashil Field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea was signed on September 20, 1994, it was the biggest achievement of the Century under the leadership of Heydar. Moreover, 11 companies were engaged i.e. AMOCO, BP, McDermott, UNOCAL, SOCAR, Lukoil, Statoil, TPAO, Pennzoil, Ramco, and Delta in this remarkable agreement Azerbaijan, USA, UK, Russia, Turkey, Norway, and Saudi Arabia were partners. This was only possible through the charismatic leadership qualities of Heydar Aliyev and due to the functional operations of the agreement Azerbaijan signed 26 more contracts with 41 companies from 9 countries. This new transition laid the foundation of efficient foreign policy and gradually mitigate the threats. For timely implantation of the provisions of the deals, Heydar Aliyev had ensured the transportation of the oil to international blocs. By the commitment and dedication in late 1997, Azerbaijan exported oil to the black sea by the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline.

With the determination of the prominent leader, Azerbaijan turned into a stable, powerful, and developed country by maximizing its involvement in the international arena through trade and investment. Not only in the Oil Sector but he made long term strategy in the Gas Sector, in 1996 SOCAR and international oil agencies discovered the gas field, and 1.2 trillion cubic meters’ gas reserves caught attention.All the attempts and efforts of Heydar Alive had recovered the economy of Azerbaijan and the incumbent leadership is working for the sustainability tremendously. In his era 165 1:50000 scale, digital maps were developed by the collaboration Japanese government and received 2$ million grant from Swiss SECO company for the land cadaster in the Azerbaijan project. It was important for Azerbaijan to manage border issues and the process was started by Heydar Aliyev in 1996 and in 2010completed the demarcation between Azerbaijan and Russian Federation which was 390 km in length.

Social reforms

Azerbaijan’s modern development is associated with the visionary leader Heydar Aliyev,from political to economic spheres. he contributed and brought new reforms that could curb the crisis and revived its stability. History will never forget the reforms of the national hero, middle and old generations will always praise him for his tireless work for the country

He had served for the interests of people, state, and for their integrity. According to him freedom and independence are all people’s national wealth. He mainly focused on social reforms his first initiative was to give free lands to the citizens of Azerbaijan and it established new significant class of proprietors, formulated new land ploughman relations that aimed to the best utilization of the lands.  Workable decrees were made for land laws, and these lands were also used for the welfare of people of Azerbaijan which improved the financial crisis. In his tenure, agrarian reforms and land reforms for the production outputs were intensified as Heydar wanted to revive his country with the best possible resources.

The Leadership is Being Continued by Ilham Aliyev 

The world can easily compare the leadership skills of H.E Ilham Aliyev and the national hero Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan is fortunate that they couldn’t deprive of the true leadership as H.E Ilham Aliyev is exhibiting his potentials and skills extensively to continue the efforts of the national leader of Azerbaijan. His dynamic approach is deepening its foreign policy, political and socio- economic development. World Economic forum reported 39^th position in the economic competitiveness. Carrying the vision of Heydar Aliyev, Ilham is intensively highlighting the Armenia issue in the UN Security Council. Concerning leadership qualities, in the testing times leaders should be decisive and should introduce the best contingency plan. In the COVID-19 era the action plans by Ilham Aliyev are remarkable. Immediate surveillance in the health sector has contained the unexpected pandemic by analyzing the world’s situation Ilham Aliyev leadership was prepared to manage the crisis.  Undoubtedly, the incumbent leadership is for the interest of its people and statehood and in the current crisis giving relaxation in tax and mortgages and all the daily life items are available for the people. To cease the educational loss, a very comprehensive strategy is devised for schools, colleges, and universities. The excellent Leadership of Ilham is appreciable as the rapid growth in socio-economic, political sectors can be seen. The current leadership’s cooperation with the world in COVID-19 is appreciable.

In the end, I would like to highlight the rich culture and Islamic history of Azerbaijan that is remained attracted to the world and the Azerbaijani leadership is successfully maintaining it.

ISLAMABAD, May 11 (DNA) : Zong 4G and UNICEF joined hands to help inform the general public in Pakistan on COVID-19.

As part of the partnership, Zong 4G will use all its digital channels to disseminate accurate and reliable information on the coronavirus COVID-19, reports Gwadar Pro on Monday.

The campaign aims at reaching Zong 4G’s over 37 Million customers through multiple platforms and channels, including Zong 4G’s official Facebook Page, Zong 4G’s official Twitter Handle, Official Website and MyZong app.

“Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, we have also seen a major outbreak of mis- and disinformation surrounding the topic on social media.

In these challenging times, it is imperative that reliable, accurate and authentic information reach every corner of the country. Zong 4G and UNICEF Pakistan have partnered to augment the efforts of the health authorities in relaying authenticated messages to the public.

These are testing times for the entire world and we must stay united in battling this pandemic by following guidelines being promoted by the health authorities,” Said Mr. Wang Hua, Chairman and CEO, Zong 4G.

The content, which will inform people on how to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 and how to protect themselves and their families from it, was developed by UNICEF in coordination with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The new partnership will help the messages reach wider audiences across the country through Zong 4G’s channels.

The messages cover important issues such as the need to stay home as much as possible and keep a distance of at least six feet (two meters) from other people when going outside; the need to frequently wash hands with soap for 20 seconds or with a sanitizer; or the need to avoid stigmatizing people affected by the virus.

“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, UNICEF has been on the forefront to help prevent the spread of the virus,” said Ms. Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.

“Besides supporting health care services led by the Government of Pakistan and supporting procurement services to ensure that medical supplies and equipment are available, disseminating authentic information on care and prevention during the pandemic has been our top priority.

In this effort, the role of cellular networks in reaching people cannot be overemphasised. We are grateful to Zong 4G for supporting our mission and help us battle myths and misinformation with their top-notch technology and country-wide coverage.”

Zong 4G, China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak), a 100% owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation, is Pakistan’s leading telecom service provider.

The company has the largest 4G subscriber base and the widest 4G coverage across the country with 4G leadership, market leadership, network leadership and service leadership traits. Zong 4G is leading the 4G industry with over 17 Million 4G subscribers and more than 13,000 4G sites nationwide.=DNA

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 The duties of the occupying power in fighting COVID-19 under international law.

The laws of occupation continue to govern Israel’s policies and practices in the OPT during a pandemic or a health crisis, including the Hague Regulations and the Geneva Conventions.

Article 56(1) of the Fourth Geneva Convention (hereinafter GCIV) explains that ‘the occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining, with the cooperation of national and local authorities, the medical and hospital establishments and services, public health and hygiene in the occupied territory, with particular reference to the adoption and application of the prophylactic and preventive measures necessary to combat the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics. Medical personnel of all categories shall be allowed to carry out their duties.’

Likewise, Article 14(1) of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, the occupying power ‘has the duty to ensure the medical needs of the civilian population in occupied territory continue to be satisfied’.

Disregards for Palestinian detainees’ health, especially of the sick detainees, who have been denied from visiting the infirmary, is blatant violation of Israel’s obligation as an occupying power towards Palestinian detainees, including Article 91 of GCIV that requires the presence of an adequate infirmary in places of detention, in addition to separate spaces dedicated for people with diseases and Article 92 that obliges the occupying power to run medical inspections on a regular basis in order to detect contagious diseases.

Israel’s refusal to coordinate with the Government of Palestine shows that Israel is operating in bad faith and not in the best interest of the occupied people. The principle of good faith is a cornerstone principle of the laws of occupation. The principle requires Israel, to ‘restore, and ensure, as far as possible, public order and safety, while respecting, unless absolutely prevented, the laws in force in the country’ as required in Article 43 of the Hague Regulations.

Israel should guarntee Palestinian workers their right in accordance with Article 40 of the GCIV whereas; ‘protected persons compelled to work shall have the benefit of the same working conditions and of the same safeguards as national workers in particular as regards wages, hours of labour, clothing and equipment, previous training and compensation for occupational accidents and diseases’.

Israeli Violations

1. Medical perosnnel, facilities, and transport: IOF demolished, confiscated and obstructed Palestinian initiatives to fight the pandemic by

shutting down first-aid community initiatives by and for Palestinians;

• IOF arrested volunteer health workers who were sanitizing and disinfecting the public facilities

in the Old City and seized their equipments. They also arrested and beat youth volunteers who were handing out brochures in the streets to spread awareness on the COVID-19 virus;

• Israel only provided only 200 testing kits to the almost 5 million Palestinians in the West Bank;
• Israel, continued to bar the GOP from providing health services or provide testing for residents of East Jerusalem.

1. Detention;

• Israel continued to arbitrary arrest and detain Palestinians, where 357 Palestinians including 48 children were arrested in March alone; Israeli arbitrary measures in regards to Palestinian detainees include: denial of sanitary supplies, denial of family visits, denial of legal visits, and medical neglect; Israeli occupation authorities did not conduct any thorough tests on Palestinian detainees, nor are they providing them with essential hygiene and sanitization kits, or even face masks and gloves.

1. Palestinian Workers:

• Israel, the occupying power, has been purposely smuggling Palestinian workers back into OPT by opening checkpoints at night through opening several wastewater tunnels thus risking the lives of millions of Palestinians.

1. Settler violence:

• Over the last month, settler violence against Palestinians and their properties has increased by

78% comparing to the rest of the year;

• Between March 17 and 30, the UN reported at least 16 attacks by Israeli settlers resulted in 5 Palestinian injuries and extensive property damage’;
• Settler violence included the stoning of vehicles, vandalizing structures and physical assault, some 100 Palestinian-owned olive trees were uprooted, and tens others were drowned with sewage water. Also, surveillance cameras were damaged and stolen from a home and a school.

1. House demolitions:

• The occupation forces demolished three seasonal homes of farmers who are residents of Jerusalem, in the village of ‘Ein a-Duyuk a-Tahta west of Jericho. Not to mention the demolition of the first-aid initiatives by Palestinians.