ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed multiple agreements on Monday to boost trade, energy, tourism, and education ties. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Baku to strengthen economic and investment links with Central Asia.
Sharif arrived in Baku on Sunday to discuss defense, trade, and energy. Pakistan is promoting economic diplomacy with Central Asian nations, offering them access to Karachi and Gwadar ports.
In July 2024, Azerbaijan pledged a $2 billion investment in Pakistan during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Islamabad. Last September, Pakistan signed a deal to supply JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, expanding defense cooperation.
On Monday, Sharif met Aliyev for delegation-level talks and witnessed the signing of multiple MoUs.
“We received concrete projects from Pakistan. Our representatives are evaluating them,” Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said at a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “Today, my brother [Shehbaz Sharif] and I set a realistic goal to finalize all discussions within a month. By early April, we will prepare documents for signing.”
He said the projects cover infrastructure, energy, economy, mining, and other sectors. Azerbaijan and Pakistan also discussed joint defense production. “Azerbaijan has already acquired defense equipment from Pakistan. We are satisfied with its quality and will continue to purchase more,” Aliyev added.
He emphasized improving transport links and increasing bilateral trade, which is currently worth “several tens of millions of US dollars.”
Sharif thanked Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s $2 billion investment in Pakistan. “These ventures will benefit both countries,” he said.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that both governments signed multiple MoUs and agreements. These cover trade, energy, tourism, and education.
SOCAR, Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO), and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) signed an MoU for the Machike-Thallian-Tarujabba White Oil Pipeline Project. The pipeline will connect Karachi to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Both countries also amended an existing framework agreement for LNG cargo sales.
Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan and Pakistan’s Lahore signed an MoU to promote cultural, tourism, urban, and economic ties.
During Aliyev’s visit to Pakistan last year, both nations formed a joint committee to advance trade, IT, tourism, minerals, and other projects. Sharif had said the $100 million trade volume did not reflect the true potential of bilateral trade.
