PAKISTAN has been proactively advancing its economic and diplomatic agenda, not only by inviting and encouraging investment and trade but also by strengthening and deepening ties with friendly nations, particularly those in the region. Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif has made it clear to global leaders that Pakistan is now seeking trade and investment, not aid and is determined to stabilize its economy through its own efforts, with strategic cooperation from friendly countries. With the continued blessings of Almighty Allah and the leadership’s focused determination, Pakistan’s economy is on an upward trajectory—a momentum that must be sustained through strong regional partnerships and collaborative engagement.
The PM has just completed a two-day visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev, where he attended the country’s Victory Day celebrations in Baku, marking its historic triumph in the 44-day Karabakh Liberation War against Armenia and addressed the participants, including a Pakistan contingent. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was also present. PM Shehbaz Sharif held bilateral talks with the host President to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries. Addressing the ceremony, he emphatically stated that Pakistan seeks peace but will never allow anyone to challenge its sovereignty or undermine its territorial integrity. He hailed Azerbaijan’s victory in Karabakh as a glorious vindication of a just cause, a beacon of hope for all nations striving for sovereignty and self-determination, including the brave and resilient people of Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This year, the world witnessed how the great people and resolute leadership of Azerbaijan and Turkiye stood firmly with Pakistan during the four-day war with India in May. It was US President Donald Trump’s bold and decisive leadership that brought about the ceasefire, restored peace in South Asia, averted a major war and saved millions of lives.
The PM further stated that Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are brothers in arms, their common resolve for peace most recently tested in the case of Afghanistan. Taking the opportunity, he expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for their invaluable contributions in facilitating peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The historic occasion underscored the shared commitment of these nations to regional stability and cooperation, reinforcing their solidarity and determination to uphold sovereignty, peace and self-determination across the region.
While in Baku, the PM also held a high-profile meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day Parade, using the occasion to push forward Pakistan’s strategic outreach in the region, affirming a deeper, broadened partnership with Turkiye and underscoring Islamabad’s intent to elevate political, defense and investment ties with Ankara at a time of shifting regional alignments. The two leaders reviewed Pakistan-Turkiye relations across the full spectrum and reiterated their shared resolve to further strengthen cooperation in all priority sectors. On this occasion, PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to transforming this historic relationship into an expanded, future-focused partnership encompassing defense, trade, investment, political engagement and people-to-people exchanges.
It was the PM’s short visit to Azerbaijan, but he availed every minute to strengthen bilateral relations with a country investing about $2 billion in different sectors in Pakistan. Pakistan and Azerbaijan have always enjoyed strong political ties and the PM’s visit and discussions have given new dimensions to these relations. The top leadership of both countries, in their fruitful talks in Baku, gave an unparalleled commitment to develop and promote economic links, with a focus on trade and investment. Pakistan urgently needed foreign investment and collaborative ventures with friendly countries to stabilize its struggling economy and gradually overcome inflation, debt and external pressures. High-level bilateral discussions like PM Shehbaz Sharif’s meetings in Baku with the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye will go a long way in boosting Pakistan’s brotherly relations in a mutually beneficial manner. During his first and ongoing second tenure, the PM has undertaken 60 visits to 17 friendly and regional countries, including the UN General Assembly, to strengthen relations and invite trade and investment in Pakistan. It would be highly appreciated if the PM apprises Parliament of the outcomes of each foreign visit, detailing the mutual benefits accruing to the country. Pakistan is no longer isolated in the comity of nations, a fact further confirmed following its stunning response to India’s unilateral aggression in the Maarka-e-Haq in May 2025.
—The writer is a Lahore-based freelance journalist, columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News), Radio Pakistan, Islamabad.
