ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Azerbaijan on Thursday for a two-day official visit to attend the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).

Upon arrival at Fuzuli Airport in Shusha, the premier was received by Azerbaijan’s Minister for Culture Adil Karimli, Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin and senior diplomats and government officials.

PM Shehbaz was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.

The premier will address the ECO Summit being held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan. In addition, he will hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders participating in the summit.

According to the Foreign Office, the prime minister will “share Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global challenges, reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO Vision 2025, and advocate for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development”.

He will also hold meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines of the summit to discuss matters of mutual interest, the statement added.

The theme of the summit is “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future”.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025