Pakistan and Azerbaijan reaffirm strategic partnership, vow closer economic ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s “deep-rooted, fraternal and strategic partnership” with Azerbaijan during a telephone conversation with President Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

According to the PMO, the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and agreed to translate their strong political understanding into closer economic, investment and commercial cooperation.

“The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep-rooted, fraternal, and strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, characterised by mutual trust and steadfast support on all issues of core national interest,” it said.

Reviewing bilateral ties, both leaders agreed that their exceptional political understanding must now be translated into a strong economic, investment and commercial partnership.

PM Shehbaz emphasised that the people of Pakistan held President Aliyev and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan in the highest esteem, the statement said.

The two leaders “expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum in their multifaceted cooperation and reaffirmed their shared determination to translate the exceptional political goodwill and understanding into a mutually beneficial economic, investment, and commercial partnership”, it said.

The two leaders also discussed progress on ongoing bilateral initiatives, particularly the operationalisation of the Asaan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad, modelled on Azerbaijan’s ASAN Khidmet service delivery system.

They described the centre as an example of the practical benefits of bilateral cooperation for the people of Pakistan, the PMO said.

At PM Shehbaz’s request, President Aliyev agreed to extend Azerbaijan’s full support and expertise for expanding the Asaan Khidmat network across Pakistan.

The prime minister thanked the Azerbaijani president for the gesture, describing it as another manifestation of his country’s enduring friendship and solidarity with Pakistan.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the evolving regional and international situation and stressed the need for continued consultations and coordination on matters of mutual interest, the statement read.

The prime minister briefed President Aliyev on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and efforts to promote peace, dialogue and de-escalation in the region.

President Aliyev appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and mediation, acknowledging their importance for regional peace and stability, according to the PMO.

The conversation concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and transforming their strategic partnership into a lasting relationship of shared progress and prosperity, the statement added.

The two leaders last spoke by phone on May 12, when they discussed regional developments and efforts to restore peace in the Middle East, while reaffirming the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

PM Shehbaz last visited Azerbaijan in May 2025, when the two leaders pledged to diversify their strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial areas. They also reviewed bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the growing cooperation between the two countries.

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