PM thanks Baku for firm support amid tensions with India
0
• Arrives in Azerbaijan after completing tour of Istanbul, Tehran
• COAS Munir meets Iranian military chief
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Azerbaijan on Tuesday for his third visit to a foreign country in as many days as his diplomatic outreach to friendly nations continued following this month’s conflict with India.
He met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in the southwestern city of Lachin.
The PM’s visit to Azerbaijan was a part of his visits to friendly states to express gratitude for their support to Pakistan during the conflict with India.
The meeting took place on the eve of a trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye.
An official press release issued by the Prime Minister Office said the two leaders “underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to promote regional stability, mutual prosperity, and principled positions on key international issues”.
The two leaders “reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations” and “expressed satisfaction” over the political, economic, defence, and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Pakistan-Azerbaijan partnership and working closely to further advance their shared objectives at the bilateral and regional levels.
They vowed to diversify the strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues.
The prime minister reiterated that both countries had stood by each other on every occasion and would continue to do so.
He thanked Azerbaijan for its support for Pakistan in the face of Indian provocation.
He acknowledged the expressions of solidarity from the leadership and the people of Azerbaijan.
The people of Azerbaijan celebrated Pakistan’s success in the Marka-i-Haq against India, the PM noted while referring to the confrontation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Information Minister Atta Tarrar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present at the meeting.
The prime minister felicitated President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on their Independence Day, celebrated on May 28.
He emphasised the people of both countries enjoyed an “eternal bond of friendship”.
Investment
Azerbaijan also agreed to send delegations to discuss its investments in Pakistan. Delegation-level talks on investment are expected to take place soon, the statement added.
PM Shehbaz noted his meeting with the Azeri president in Lachin, a city that reflects Azerbaijan’s journey of resilience and restoration, carried “deep symbolic and emotional significance for both sides”.
Mr Aliyev “warmly congratulated PM Shehbaz upon Pakistan’s remarkable success”, the PMO had said.
The president welcomed the Pakistan-India ceasefire, while appreciating Islamabad’s efforts for peace. He had reaffirmed that Azerbaijan was committed to strengthening brotherly ties with Pakistan across all spheres.
Earlier, the PM was received by the foreign minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin, upon his arrival in Lachin.
PM Shehbaz, along with Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Aliyev, will participate in the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit today.
COAS meets Iranian military chief
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir visited the Iranian military headquarters in Tehran on Tuesday.
He met Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of general staff of the Iranian Armed Forces at the General Staff Headquarters, said ISPR.
The two military leaders discussed the regional security landscape and focused on strengthening bilateral defence ties.
They agreed to boost military-to-military cooperation, improve security mechanisms along the border and explore avenues for transforming the border regions into zones of trade and economic connectivity, thereby contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
Field Marshal Munir was presented with a ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival.
Earlier, COAS Munir, alongside the prime minister, met with Ayatollah Syed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, and Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran.
COAS is on an official visit to Turkiye, Iran and Azerbaijan along with the prime minister.
With input from APP
Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2025
