Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is attending a trilateral summit in Azerbaijan’s Lachin city today, as he continues his tour to friendly countries to appreciate their support for Pakistan during the recent conflict with India.
The premier is participating in the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit, alongside presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev.
Addressing the summit, PM Shehbaz congratulated Aliyev and the Azerbaijani nation on their Republic Day. “The way Azeri nation fought for its liberation, you earned a high position in the community of nations.”
He also felicitated the Turkish president for “very skillfully resolving the issue” of the PKK, referring to the Kurdish rebels’ recent decision to disband. “That goes to explain in volumes, my brother, your diplomatic skills to resolve this issue and by virtue of this, you have earned a high place and influence not only in the region, but beyond.”
Addressing Aliyev, the premier thanked him for the hospitality shown to him and his delegation, noting that today’s summit “reflects the meeting of hearts and souls of genuine friends and sincere well-wishers”.
According to Radio Pakistan, the prime minister will also address a ceremony marking Azerbaijan’s Independence Day later today.
PM Shehbaz arrived in Lachin yesterday on the third leg of his four-nation tour after visiting Tukiye and Iran. He will later depart for Tajikistan, where he will attend the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe.
Yesterday, the premier held a bilateral meeting with President Ilham Aliyev and thanked him for Azerbaijan’s support during the recent confrontation with India. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was also present on the occasion.
Both leaders “underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to promote regional stability, mutual prosperity, and principled positions on key international issues”, a press release by the PM’s Office said.
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,” the statement added.
He said that people of Azerbaijan celebrated Pakistan’s success in the Marka-e-Haq against India.
They reaffirmed their shared commitment to diversifying the strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues.
The Azerbaijan side agreed to the exchange of delegations regarding the progress of Azerbaijan’s investment in Pakistan. In this regard, it was agreed that delegation-level talks will be organised soon.
In a separate message, PM Shehbaz extended heartfelt felicitations to President Aliyev and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the joyous occasion of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day on the behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan.
In a post on social media platform X, he said that Pakistan deeply values its close fraternal bonds with Azerbaijan-rooted in shared history, mutual trust and unwavering support for each other.
Shehbaz said that “it gives me great pleasure to be able to celebrate this historic day in Azerbaijan, alongside President Aliyev and our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters”.
The prime minister expressed confidence that under President Aliyev’s “wise and sagacious leadership, our multi-dimensional partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength”.
More to follow
