BAKU: Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held a comprehensive meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Presidential Palace on Friday.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for extending an invitation to attend Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating the country’s significant victory in the 44-day Karabakh Liberation War against Armenia, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt congratulations to Azerbaijan’s government and people, emphasizing that the victory stands as a “symbol of hope” for oppressed nations seeking self-determination, including those in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
The leaders discussed the full scope of bilateral relations and agreed to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors such as politics, trade, investment, energy, connectivity, and defense. Shehbaz also extended a cordial invitation to President Aliyev to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, a proposal warmly accepted by the Azerbaijani president.
Acknowledging recent developments in the South Caucasus, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised President Aliyev’s leadership, particularly highlighting the historic peace agreement signed with Armenia earlier this year.
President Aliyev expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s unwavering support during Azerbaijan’s efforts to reclaim the Karabakh region. He also commended Pakistan’s constructive role in fostering regional peace and stability in South Asia.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Baku at President Aliyev’s invitation to participate in the Victory Day celebrations. The Pakistani delegation was received at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov, First Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Razayev, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin, and other diplomatic officials.
