- PM Shehbaz addresses ECO Summit, saying, ‘forces of instability and chaos continue to destabilise our region for geo-political agendas
- Condemns recent Indian aggression and New Delhi’s attempts to weaponise water by holding IWT in abeyance
- Reiterates India couldn’t be allowed to ‘pursue this dangerous path that will be regarded as an act of aggression by the people of Pakistan’
- PM meets Azerbaijan president, reiterates shared resolve to strengthen the economic partnership
BAKU/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged stronger regional cooperation in view of the increasing geopolitical tensions, including the Iran-Israel conflict and Indian hostility towards Pakistan, stressing that the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) offered the country its “best hope” for a unified response.
Addressing the 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan’s city of Khankendi, the prime minister said two recent events—the Iran-Israel war and the India-Pakistan conflict—showed that “the forces of instability and chaos continue to destabilise our region for geopolitical agendas.
“The evolving global landscape has made regional cooperation even more essential,” PM Shehbaz said while addressing the 10-nation Eurasian bloc. “ECO represents our best hope, and Pakistan is a proud partner in these collective efforts.”
خانکندی میں اقتصادی تعاون تنظیم کے سربراہ اجلاس میں رکن ملکوں نےپائیدار ترقی اور خوشحالی کے لیے مشترکہ کاوشوں کے عزم کااعادہ کیا۔
تفصیل عمر فاروق سے pic.twitter.com/EXCtmrTtVz— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 4, 2025
Speaking about the 12-day Iran-Israel war, he said that “the unlawful, uncalled-for and unjustified Israeli attack on Iran was the most recent manifestation of this dangerous trend.”
“Pakistan condemns this act of Israeli aggression against Iran and offers our condolences to the martyrs,” he said.
The premier also condemned the recent Indian aggression against Pakistan and New Delhi’s attempts to weaponize water by holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan. 4 July 2025.@CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/AyItn5dTsM
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 4, 2025
“The unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed at Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in India’s illegally occupied Kashmir was yet another attempt to destabilize regional peace.
“The world saw the steadfast determination of our armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and the unyielding spirit of our resilient people who stood firm in the face of provocation and responded with courage and professionalism.”
India had launched missile attacks on several Pakistani cities after baselessly accusing Islamabad of backing an attack on held Kashmir’s Pahalgam town, which saw the killing of 26 tourists on April 22.
In response, Pakistan downed five Indian jets and launched retaliatory strikes on India. It took US intervention on May 10 for both countries to reach a ceasefire.
“We are witnessing a new and alarming trend with India’s weaponization of water; its illegal attempt to defy the World Bank-negotiated Indus Water Treaty and its blatant disregard for the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) are unacceptable and should be rejected with contempt.”
Last week, the PCA in The Hague issued a “Supplemental Award of Competence” in the Indus Waters case, stating that India cannot unilaterally hold the treaty in abeyance. However, India “categorically rejected” the PCA’s supplemental award and stated that it did not recognize the court itself.
PM Shehbaz said the Indus waters were the lifeline of Pakistan’s 240 million people and India couldn’t be allowed to “pursue this dangerous path that will be regarded as an act of aggression by the people of Pakistan.”
The prime minister also voiced concerns over the situation in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli strikes there, which have killed more than 57,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.
“The world is witnessing an unprecedented man-made catastrophe in Gaza, a region that has descended into an abyss of perpetual suffering,” the premier said.
“It is as if humanity no longer exists as famine looms large, while humanitarian workers, including UN personnel, are being attacked with impunity by Israel to cut off the only lifeline of the helpless and starving people of Gaza.”
He said Pakistan stood firmly against those who “perpetrate barbaric acts against innocent people, whether in Gaza, occupied Kashmir, or Iran.”
Regarding the effects of climate change, the prime minister said Pakistan had undertaken a series of climate-related policy initiatives focused on the government’s Resilience, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF).
He proposed the development of low-emission corridors, ECO-wide carbon market platforms, and a regional disaster resistance system.
Pakistan, Azerbaijan reiterate shared resolve to strengthen economic partnership
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz held a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the ECO Summit.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress made regarding investment prospects and agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade and investment.
They reiterated their resolve to strengthen the economic partnership, especially Azerbaijan’s investment in Pakistan, according to a statement by the PM’s Office.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed that the recent interactions between the leadership of both countries helped in making the relationship even stronger. He also invited President Aliyev to visit Pakistan.
In a post on X, the prime minister said he congratulated President Aliyev on “successfully hosting the summit and lauded Azerbaijan’s proactive role in ECO.”
Pleased to meet with my dear brother H.E. Ilham Aliyev @presidentaz, President of Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi.
Congratulated him on successfully hosting the Summit and lauded Azerbaijan’s proactive role in ECO.
Reviewed the progress in… pic.twitter.com/MxOEuyTkri
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 4, 2025
He said they “reviewed the progress in Pakistan-Azerbaijan bilateral ties, which are growing stronger through our frequent and productive high-level exchanges.”
“We reaffirmed our commitment to deepen cooperation across diverse sectors, particularly trade and investment,” he added.
