Islamabad (GNP): Outgoing Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov met with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif in Islamabad, with Asif acknowledging the ambassador’s contributions to strengthening Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations during his tenure.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in defense and aviation, as Asif extended his best wishes for the ambassador’s future endeavors.
The meeting follows an earlier announcement in which Pakistan and Azerbaijan agreed to raise bilateral investment to as much as $2 billion across mutually beneficial projects.
Speaking alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after a signing ceremony covering multiple agreements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the two countries had discussed an initial investment figure of $2 billion, expressing hope that formal agreements at that level could be finalized during his planned visit to Azerbaijan in November, with room to expand further in future years.
Sharif noted that existing bilateral investment — under $100 million — did not reflect the strength of the relationship between the two countries, and said discussions had focused on building mutual trust as a foundation for deeper trade and investment cooperation going forward.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent support for Azerbaijan’s positions internationally, noting that Azerbaijan had similarly supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and the right to self-determination for Kashmiris under UN Security Council resolutions. He also recalled President Aliyev’s 2017 visit during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure as prime minister, noting the historical continuity of the relationship.
Sharif also expressed optimism about Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 in Baku, describing it as an important opportunity to address climate concerns facing developing countries like Pakistan, and noted that the Pakistani government had been impressed by Baku’s urban development and beautification efforts.
President Aliyev described the relationship between the two countries as rooted in deep mutual trust and support on international issues, specifically reaffirming Azerbaijan’s backing of Pakistan’s position on Kashmir and the importance of upholding relevant UN resolutions, despite the lack of an enforcement mechanism for them.
He said Azerbaijan would continue to stand alongside Pakistan on this and other matters rooted in international law and justice.
Aliyev noted that both countries were reviewing potential projects across sectors including energy, connectivity, infrastructure, and defense industry as part of the proposed $2 billion investment plan, expressing confidence that the partnership would grow beyond its political foundation to include stronger economic and trade ties.
During the visit, Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed 15 memorandums of understanding and agreements covering areas including trade, tourism, mining, science and technology, legal cooperation, and cultural exchange. The signing ceremony was witnessed by both Sharif and Aliyev at the Prime Minister’s House.
Key agreements included a consular affairs memorandum between the two countries’ foreign ministries; a preferential trade agreement signed by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan; a privatization cooperation agreement signed by Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan; a transit trade agreement; and a legal cooperation memorandum signed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
Additional agreements covered mineral resources and geology, signed by Petroleum Minister Dr. Musadik Malik; a cultural exchange program for 2024–2029, signed by Minister for Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar; IT and telecommunications cooperation; a broadcasting partnership between Azerbaijan’s national broadcaster and Pakistan Television; a city-twinning agreement between Baku and Islamabad.
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SME development cooperation; scientific and technological cooperation; tourism cooperation; a literary cooperation agreement between the two countries’ national literature institutions; and an air services agreement.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
