Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif and President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday during a bilateral meeting underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to promote regional stability, mutual prosperity, and principled positions on key international issues. The prime minister Shehbaz led delegation held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the city of Lachin.
The meeting took place on the eve of the Trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye that would take place on Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, adding a symbolic dimension to the exchange between the two leaders. The Prime Minister conveyed warm felicitations to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on this important national occasion. The prime minister emphasized that people of both countries enjoy an eternal bond of friendship.
The prime minister thanked Azerbaijan for its steadfast support during the recent Pakistan-India confrontation, in the face of Indian provocation and acknowledged the public expressions of solidarity from both the leadership and the people of brotherly Azerbaijan. He said that people of Azerbaijan celebrated the success of Pakistan in Maarka-e-Haq against India.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory of political, economic, defence, and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
They reaffirmed their shared commitment to diversifying the strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues. The prime minister reiterated that both the countries had stood by each other on every occasion and would continue to do so.
Azerbaijan side agreed to exchange of delegations with regard to progress in investment of Azerbaijan in Pakistan. In this regard delegation level talks will be organized very soon. The prime minister noted that holding this meeting in Lachin, a city that reflects Azerbaijan’s journey of resilience and restoration, carries deep symbolic and emotional significance for both sides.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to the deepening of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan partnership and working closely to further advance shared objectives at the bilateral and regional levels.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Ullah Tarrar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present.
The Prime Minster congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the upcoming Independence Day. He also shared his strong impressions of the restoration and construction efforts carried out in Lachin and the surrounding areas under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership in a short period, and extended his sincere congratulations to the President and the people of Azerbaijan on these remarkable achievements.
Highlighting the natural beauty of the region, the Prime Minister noted that it will become one of the most magnificent and attractive tourist destinations in the future. Recalling that these territories had been under occupation for 30 years, President Ilham Aliyev said that Lachin was among the first Azerbaijani districts to be occupied in 1992.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that during the occupation, Lachin was utterly devastated by Armenians and, just like the peaceful inhabitants of the other occupied territories, Lachin’s residents also endured ethnic cleansing. He noted that restoration and reconstruction work is now underway in Lachin.
Shehbaz Sharif reported that a ceasefire had been achieved between India and Pakistan in the South Asia region, and he affirmed Pakistan’s interest in ensuring peace and stability there.
The head of state expressed his satisfaction with the attainment of peace and a ceasefire in the region and stressed that Azerbaijan also supports resolving all issues through dialogue.
During the meeting, the parties held a wide-ranging exchange of views on expanding economic and trade ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, as well as on cooperation in science, education, high technologies, and student exchange programs.
They noted with pleasure that, following this bilateral meeting, a trilateral summit in the Azerbaijan–Türkiye–Pakistan format will take place on May 28 in Lachin, with the participation of Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They pointed out that this meeting will be yet another clear expression of the brotherhood and friendship among the countries.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the city of Lachin, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday to participate in the Pakistan-Türkiye-Azerbaijan trilateral summit.
THe PM arrival marks the beginning of a high-level diplomatic engagement involving strategic discussions between the three brotherly nations.
Upon landing at Lachin Airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was warmly received by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Moinuddin, and senior diplomatic staff.
During the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will hold discussions alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
The trilateral meeting is expected to cover wide-ranging issues, including economic cooperation, defence collaboration, and regional connectivity.
On the sidelines of the summit, PM Shehbaz will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Ilham Aliyev to further strengthen Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations.
Accompanying the Prime Minister on this important diplomatic visit are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
The visit to Azerbaijan follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s successful two-day official trip to Iran.
A farewell ceremony was held at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, where Iran’s Interior Minister Iskandar Momeni, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu, and other senior diplomats bid farewell to the Prime Minister and his delegation.
During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held important meetings with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.
The discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and regional connectivity.
Both sides also exchanged views on regional affairs and appreciated Iran’s efforts to promote peace in the region during the conflict imposed on Pakistan by India.
The leadership discussed the need for enhancing strategic ties between the two nations and emphasised the importance of an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza to end the ongoing Israeli aggression.
Reporter: Awais Kiyani