Punjab CM Maryam, Azerbaijan President Aliyev discuss bilateral cooperation

Baku (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif received a grand diplomatic welcome in Baku, where she led a senior-level delegation and held a significant meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

During the visit, both sides revisited the deep-rooted relationship shaped over time through the leadership connections between Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Heydar Aliyev.

They conducted a broad review of bilateral cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in multiple areas including political engagement, economic ties, diplomatic coordination, and defence collaboration, while also acknowledging promising opportunities to further enhance trade and investment links.

CM Maryam Nawaz conveyed warm regards from former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to President Ilham Aliyev.

In return, President Aliyev extended his goodwill to Pakistan’s leadership and reflected on the longstanding cordial relations between the two families.

He also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic approach in promoting regional peace, particularly in light of recent Iran–US tensions, and recognized its role in contributing to stability in the region.

The two sides also explored avenues of institutional cooperation, with particular attention to adopting elements of Azerbaijan’s “ASAN Khidmet” model aimed at improving public service delivery and administrative efficiency.

Maryam Nawaz expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for the invitation to attend the 13th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum and commended the arrangements made in Baku for hosting the global event. She noted that the Azerbaijani capital beautifully blends its cultural heritage with modern urban development.

As part of the visit, she also visited the mausoleum of Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev, where she paid tribute to his vision and services.

She further remarked that Pakistan holds a strategically vital position in regional geopolitics, emphasizing that as the world’s only Muslim nuclear power, it carries significant global importance.

She added that Pakistan continues to serve as a strong voice for peace and dialogue in regional conflicts, and reaffirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is actively working toward economic stability and national progress.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan are rapidly strengthening within a broader regional framework that also includes Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan.