Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday, reiterated Pakistan’s proposal to establish a Pakistan-Azerbaijan Joint Investment Company with equal contributions from both countries.
Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who is leading a delegation, called on the prime minister and both sides conducted an extensive review of bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
While noting the consistent growth in bilateral trade, they agreed on the need to accelerate targeted efforts to diversify and deepen economic exchanges, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The discussions covered a wide range of sectors including defence production, petroleum and minerals, infrastructure development, dairy and livestock, hospitality, and information technology.
The prime minister also welcomed Azerbaijan’s interest in the White Oil Pipeline Project and encouraged SOCAR to explore upstream oil and gas opportunities in Pakistan.
On regional connectivity, both sides underscored the importance of enhancing linkages.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, and senior government officials.
The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location as the shortest route to Afghanistan and Central Asia and acknowledged Azerbaijan’s vital role in initiatives such as the Trans-Caspian International Trade Corridor.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding the partnership, Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to visit Pakistan.
Minister Jabbarov thanked the Government of Pakistan for its hospitality and expressed hope that ongoing engagements would culminate in the finalisation of the roadmap on cooperation in commerce, economy, industry and investment (2025-2028) between the two countries.