Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Azerbaijan from February 24 to 25 at the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev, according to the Foreign Office.
This marks Shehbaz’s second visit to Azerbaijan since assuming office in March 2024. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, along with other key cabinet members, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Azerbaijan.
The visit will focus on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including energy, trade, defense, education, and climate initiatives. Both sides are expected to sign multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to further bilateral collaboration.
During his trip, Prime Minister Shehbaz will also deliver a keynote address at a Business Forum, organized in partnership with Azerbaijan’s Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO). Additionally, he and President Aliyev will visit Fuzuli (Karabakh) as part of a special tour of the recently liberated territories.
Reports indicate that Pakistan and Azerbaijan may finalize an agreement to establish an international trading company in Singapore as a joint venture between Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR). The federal cabinet has already approved this initiative, and PSO is set to deposit $0.5 million in a Singaporean bank for the company’s registration.
In a significant development, Pakistan signed a $1.6 billion agreement with Azerbaijan in February 2024 for the sale of JF-17C Block-III fighter jets. Furthermore, during President Aliyev’s visit to Pakistan in July 2024, both nations agreed to boost bilateral investments up to $2 billion in various mutually beneficial projects.
