ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s “deep-rooted, fraternal and strategic partnership” with Azerbaijan during a telephone conversation with President Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and agreed to convert their strong political understanding into closer economic, investment and commercial cooperation. “The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep-rooted, fraternal, and strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, characterised by mutual trust and steadfast support on all issues of core national interest,” the PMO said.
The call is part of a busy diplomatic run for the prime minister. He recently met US President Donald Trump at a UNGA reception banquet in New York, while Islamabad also hosted Bahrain’s foreign minister for a two-day visit earlier this week.
Political goodwill to become economic partnership
Both leaders agreed that their “exceptional political understanding” must now be translated into a strong economic, investment and commercial partnership. The PMO said they “expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum in their multifaceted cooperation and reaffirmed their shared determination to translate the exceptional political goodwill and understanding into a mutually beneficial economic, investment, and commercial partnership”.
PM Shehbaz emphasised that the people of Pakistan held President Aliyev and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan in the highest esteem. The push for investment-led ties comes as Pakistan courts long-term investment partnerships with multiple countries, including a proposed long-term investment partnership with Britain discussed this week.
Asaan Khidmat network to expand across Pakistan
The two leaders also discussed progress on ongoing bilateral initiatives, particularly the operationalisation of the Asaan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad, modelled on Azerbaijan’s ASAN Khidmet service delivery system. They described the centre as an example of the practical benefits of bilateral cooperation for the people of Pakistan.
At the prime minister’s request, President Aliyev agreed to extend Azerbaijan’s full support and expertise for expanding the Asaan Khidmat network across Pakistan. The prime minister thanked him, describing it as another manifestation of Azerbaijan’s enduring friendship and solidarity with Pakistan.
The initiative sits alongside the government’s broader digital service agenda, under which ministries have been given a deadline to hand over their data to Digital Nation Pakistan.
Regional peace and continued consultation
The two leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional and international situation and stressed the need for continued consultations and coordination on matters of mutual interest. The prime minister briefed President Aliyev on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and efforts to promote peace, dialogue and de-escalation in the region.
President Aliyev appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and mediation, acknowledging their importance for regional peace and stability, the PMO said.
The two leaders last spoke by phone on May 12, when they discussed regional developments and efforts to restore peace in the Middle East. PM Shehbaz last visited Azerbaijan in May 2025, when the two sides pledged to diversify their strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial areas.
The conversation concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and transforming their strategic partnership into a lasting relationship of shared progress and prosperity, the PMO said.
What is the Asaan Khidmat Centre?
It is a citizen service-delivery centre in Islamabad, modelled on Azerbaijan’s ASAN Khidmet system. President Aliyev has now agreed to extend full support and expertise for expanding the network across Pakistan.
What did the two leaders agree on?
They agreed to translate their strong political understanding into closer economic, investment and commercial cooperation, and to keep consulting each other on regional and international developments.
When did they last speak?
Their previous phone conversation was on May 12, on regional developments and Middle East peace efforts. PM Shehbaz last visited Azerbaijan in May 2025.
Read more: Dawn
