Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held extensive discussions in Baku on Monday, reaffirming their commitment to boosting cooperation in trade, energy, and defense. PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Azerbaijan’s decision to invest $2 billion in Pakistan.
Deepening Bilateral Relations
During their meeting at the Presidential Palace, both leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s steadfast support on the Kashmir issue, while reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering backing for Azerbaijan’s stance on the Karabakh conflict.
Strategic Agreements Signed
A formal welcome ceremony was held in honor of Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit, marking the signing of several key agreements:
✅ MoU between Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company and Pakistan Refinery Limited
✅ MoU between Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO)
✅ Amendment to the Framework Agreement on LNG trade, strengthening energy collaboration
Boosting Investment and Economic Cooperation
Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed Azerbaijan’s $2 billion investment in Pakistan, calling it a “significant milestone” for economic growth.
“This is a remarkable step forward, and I look forward to finalizing these agreements in Islamabad this April,” he stated.
He also praised Baku’s urban development and expressed hopes for similar progress in Islamabad:
“Baku is a model city, and with Azerbaijan’s cooperation, we will work towards developing Islamabad on similar lines.”
Expanding Defense Collaboration
President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s growing defense partnership with Pakistan:
“We deeply value Pakistan’s advanced defense industry and are satisfied with the defense products we have acquired. We will continue exploring opportunities for joint defense production.”
Shared Stance on Global Issues
Addressing the Gaza crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz called for an immediate ceasefire and reiterated Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution for Palestine:
“The world agrees that the Palestinian people must realize their dream of an independent state.”
President Aliyev emphasized the brotherly ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, noting the frequent high-level visits between the two nations as a testament to their strong and enduring relationship.
