Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his “deep appreciation” for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Iran and the US during a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) says in a statement.

“This was a clear reflection of the trust and confidence of the international community in Pakistan and its leadership,” the statement reads. “The two leaders agreed to maintain close contact and looked forward to their meeting, in person, later this year.”

The statement adds that the premier conveyed his best wishes to Aliyev for the upcoming World Urban Forum in Baku next week.

“He expressed confidence that the Forum, under Azerbaijan’s stewardship, would serve as a valuable platform for advancing the global urban development agenda,” the PMO says.

Opinion

Editorial

Governance test
Updated 15 Aug, 2026

Governance test

EVER since the interior minister called for smaller administrative units to improve governance, the question of new...
Sailors’ killing
15 Aug, 2026

Sailors’ killing

THE killing of at least three Pakistani sailors in an apparent Houthi attack targeting a vessel in the waters of Bab...
Lethal celebrations
15 Aug, 2026

Lethal celebrations

IT is a familiar tale. Every year, occasions for national celebration turn into fear and mourning just because some...
Taliban support
Updated 14 Aug, 2026

Taliban support

THE latest UN monitoring report analysing the activities of several transnational terrorist groups is unequivocal in...
Job policy for youth
14 Aug, 2026

Job policy for youth

STRIPPED of its rhetoric, the prime minister’s announcement of Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy...
Jail improvements
14 Aug, 2026

Jail improvements

THE Punjab government is spending Rs5bn on modernising jail facilities in the province, but to what end? The...