ISLAMABAD/BAKU - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on May 12, 2026, during which the two leaders reaffirmed the brotherly and strategic ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and welcomed the steady expansion of cooperation across key sectors including energy, trade, and people-to-people contacts .
The telephone call comes at a time when Pakistan and Azerbaijan are deepening their strategic partnership, with both nations increasingly coordinating on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Prime Minister Sharif underscored the importance of the upcoming World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku, noting Azerbaijan's role as host in advancing the global urban agenda.
President Aliyev expressed appreciation for Pakistan's attention to the Forum and emphasized its significance as a leading international platform for advancing sustainable urban development.
Prime Minister Sharif noted that due to pressing commitments, he would not be able to attend the event in person but had ensured that Pakistan would be well-represented at the Forum by a high-level delegation.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | World Urban Forum (WUF) |
| Location | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Host | President Ilham Aliyev |
| Pakistan's representation | High-level delegation (PM unable to attend due to commitments) |
| Significance | Leading international platform for urban agenda |
The World Urban Forum, convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the world's premier conference on urban issues. Azerbaijan's role as host reflects its growing international stature, and Pakistan's high-level participation underscores the importance Islamabad attaches to its relationship with Baku .
The two leaders reviewed the steady expansion of cooperation across key sectors:
| Sector | Current Cooperation |
|---|---|
| Energy | Pakistan and Azerbaijan exploring energy partnerships, including LNG supplies |
| Trade | Bilateral trade volume growing; both sides committed to further enhancement |
| People-to-people contacts | Visa facilitation, cultural exchanges, and educational cooperation |
| Defense | Regular military-to-military contacts and defense production cooperation |
| Aviation | Direct flights operational: AZAL (6 weekly), PIA (2), Airblue (2) |
The growing partnership between Islamabad and Baku reflects a convergence of strategic interests. Both nations view themselves as bridges between regions - Pakistan between South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, and Azerbaijan between Europe and Asia.
In recent months, Pakistan and Azerbaijan have also expanded defense cooperation, with reports of joint military exercises and discussions on defense technology transfers.
President Aliyev deeply appreciated Pakistan's active mediation role and its successful initiatives to ensure a ceasefire between the parties in the Middle East, as well as its ongoing efforts toward de-escalation.
The President noted that Pakistan's successful mediation reflects strong international confidence in the country's leadership .
| Key Middle East Achievements | Date |
|---|---|
| Ceasefire brokered between US and Iran | April 8, 2026 |
| Islamabad Talks hosted (first direct US-Iran talks in 47 years) | April 11-12, 2026 |
| Multiple ceasefire extensions secured | Ongoing |
| Iranian Foreign Minister visits to Islamabad | Twice (post-ceasefire) |
Azerbaijan, which maintains balanced relations with both Iran and the United States, views Pakistan's mediation as a model for responsible middle-power diplomacy. President Aliyev's appreciation signals Baku's support for Pakistan's role as a regional peacemaker.
The leaders exchanged views on regional developments, with a particular focus on the Middle East. Both Pakistan and Azerbaijan share concerns about regional stability and the humanitarian impact of prolonged conflicts.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan have consistently supported a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy - in line with their respective positions at the United Nations and other international forums.
President Aliyev and Prime Minister Sharif also discussed the broader geopolitical landscape, including developments in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the wider Islamic world.
The leaders agreed to remain in close contact. Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to President Aliyev to visit Pakistan, which the President accepted with appreciation .
The dates for the visit will be finalized through diplomatic channels. The visit, when it takes place, will further cement the already strong bilateral relationship and is expected to result in the signing of several agreements across economic, energy, and defense sectors .
Pakistan and Azerbaijan have historically enjoyed close fraternal relations, rooted in shared faith, common culture, and mutual strategic interests.
Bilateral trade has been growing, with both sides committed to reaching a target of $1 billion in the coming years. Direct flights between Lahore and Baku are now operational, with three carriers - AZAL, PIA, and Airblue - operating ten weekly flights between the two countries .
Defense cooperation has also intensified, with regular joint military exercises and high-level exchanges between the two armed forces. Pakistan has also supported Azerbaijan's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, consistently backing Baku's territorial integrity.
In turn, Azerbaijan has supported Pakistan's stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, refusing to establish diplomatic relations with India due to its position on Kashmir.
The telephone conversation between Prime Minister Sharif and President Aliyev reflects the growing convergence between Islamabad and Baku on strategic, economic, and diplomatic fronts.
As Pakistan continues to expand its diplomatic footprint - mediating the US-Iran conflict, deepening ties with Central Asian republics, and strengthening partnerships with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and China - its relationship with Azerbaijan is emerging as a key pillar of Islamabad's regional strategy.
The upcoming World Urban Forum in Baku will provide an opportunity for Pakistan to signal its commitment to sustainable urban development while strengthening bilateral ties. President Aliyev's acceptance of the invitation to visit Pakistan will further solidify the relationship.
The leaders agreed to remain in close contact. The bond between Pakistan and Azerbaijan - based on shared faith, mutual respect, and strategic convergence - continues to grow stronger.
