BAKU (Azerbaijan): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye are bound by a “shared heartbeat,” reflecting the historic and unbreakable ties among the three nations.
Addressing the Victory Day Parade in Baku, Prime Minister Sharif praised the enduring friendship between the countries, describing their unity as rooted in “faith, culture, and mutual respect.” The Pakistani premier was invited as a special guest by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to attend the national celebration, commemorating Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Karabakh War.
In his address, the Prime Minister said Pakistan deeply values its long-standing partnership with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, adding that the three nations have consistently stood by one another in times of need. “Our brotherhood is not defined by geography alone — it is defined by shared history, common destiny, and an unshakeable bond of trust,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif also expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for his leadership and for hosting him at the event, calling the invitation “a reflection of the enduring friendship between our peoples.”
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation, emphasizing the need to strengthen collaboration in trade, energy, defence, and education. He said such partnerships were vital to ensuring peace, prosperity, and development across the region.
Diplomatic observers see the visit as a key step in reinforcing Pakistan’s foreign policy outreach toward Central Asia and the broader Turkic world. During bilateral meetings, officials from both sides discussed new opportunities for energy cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, oil, and gas exploration, as well as enhancing connectivity through infrastructure and transport projects.
Shehbaz Sharif also held meetings with high-level Azerbaijani officials to review progress on existing defence and trade agreements, as well as explore possibilities for educational exchanges between universities of both countries.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan share close defence and economic ties, with Islamabad being one of the first nations to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991. Türkiye has also played a pivotal role in strengthening this trilateral cooperation through the Pakistan–Azerbaijan–Türkiye Trilateral Dialogue, which focuses on defence collaboration, cultural exchange, and regional security coordination.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes at a time when Islamabad is seeking to diversify its partnerships, increase energy imports, and attract investments from allied nations.
In Baku, PM Sharif received a warm welcome, including a guard of honor and a private audience with President Aliyev. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual growth, pledging to deepen strategic cooperation under a shared vision of regional solidarity.