AZERBAIJAN: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Lachin, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday to participate in the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit, which aims to strengthen strategic cooperation among the three nations.
Upon his arrival at Lachin Airport, the Prime Minister was warmly received by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin, and other senior diplomatic officials. Accompanying Prime Minister Sharif on this visit are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
The trilateral summit is expected to bring together Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for high-level talks focusing on deepening political, economic, and security ties. In addition to attending the summit, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with President Aliyev to further enhance Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations.
Meanwhile, in a parallel diplomatic move, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir conducted high-level talks in Tehran with Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. The discussions, held at Iran’s General Staff Headquarters, aimed at bolstering military collaboration and refining border security protocols between Pakistan and Iran. The leaders exchanged views on countering cross-border militancy, curbing smuggling, and ensuring regional stability.
This series of diplomatic engagements comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. In response to recent developments, Azerbaijan extended its support to Pakistan. A formal letter from the Azerbaijani government, delivered by Ambassador Khazar Farhadov, condemned Indian military actions and conveyed condolences and well-wishes to those affected. The letter also called for diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts.
Prime Minister Sharif is on a six-day tour encompassing four nations, part of Islamabad’s broader effort to strengthen regional ties and express gratitude for international support during recent hostilities. Before arriving in Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister visited Iran, where he met President Masoud Pezeshkian at the historic Sa'dabad Palace and held discussions with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei. During a joint media appearance with President Pezeshkian, Shehbaz Sharif expressed appreciation for Iran’s backing and reiterated Pakistan’s support for Iran’s right to a peaceful civilian nuclear programme.
Following the Azerbaijan leg, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Tajikistan to participate in the International Conference on Glaciers from May 29 to 30, concluding his regional diplomatic mission.
