ISLAMABAD: Several agreements are expected to be signed today, Monday, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visits Baku to meet Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev as the South Asian nation eyes enhanced bilateral trade and investment with landlocked Central Asia.
Sharif arrived in Baku on Sunday for talks on defense, trade and energy, his government said. The latest visit is part of Pakistan’s broader push at economic diplomacy with the Central Asian republics, to whom it has offered access to its southern ports in Karachi and Gwadar. In July 2024, the top leaders of the two nations discussed investment and trade projects worth $2 billion during Aliyev’s state visit to Pakistan. In September last year, Pakistan signed a contract to supply JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, highlighting deepening defense cooperation.
“There will be bilateral and delegation-level meetings between the prime minister and the president of Azerbaijan,” Sharif’s office said in a statement about his meeting later on Monday with Aliyev during which they would witness the signing of several agreements “to promote cooperation.”
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) meets Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on February 24, 2025. (Government of Pakistan)
The two leaders will also address a joint press conference this afternoon.
Sharif will also address the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Business Forum, which will bring together business leaders from both countries to explore joint ventures and trade and investment opportunities.
During Aliyev’s Pakistan visit last year, a joint committee was set up to materialize projects in trade, commerce, information technology, tourism, telecommunication, mineral resources and other sectors.
Sharif said at the time the current trade volume of $100 million did not reflect the “true” trade potential between the two countries.
