PM Shehbaz, President Aliyev discuss Middle East peace efforts and bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev spoke by telephone on Tuesday and discussed regional developments, including ongoing peace efforts related to the Middle East conflict, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The PMO said the two leaders exchanged greetings and reaffirmed the strong fraternal relationship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. During the conversation, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes to President Aliyev for the success of the World Urban Forum, which is scheduled to be held in Baku next week.

According to the statement, the premier said he was confident that, under Azerbaijan’s stewardship, the forum would serve as a valuable platform for advancing the global urban development agenda. He also expressed regret that pressing commitments would prevent him from attending the event in person, while adding that Pakistan would be represented at the forum.

The PMO said both sides expressed satisfaction over the positive direction of bilateral relations and reiterated their shared resolve to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy, and people-to-people contacts.

The two leaders also reviewed regional developments of common concern, with particular focus on peace efforts in the Middle East, the statement said.

President Aliyev expressed his deep appreciation at Pakistan’s remarkably successful initiatives to bring about a ceasefire between Iran and the US. This was a clear reflection of the trust and confidence of the international community in Pakistan and its leadership, the PMO said in its statement.

According to the PMO, the two leaders agreed to remain in close contact and said they looked forward to meeting in person later this year. The prime minister also renewed his invitation to President Aliyev to pay an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

In a separate statement posted on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz said he was pleased to have spoken with the Azerbaijani president.

"I deeply appreciate President Aliyev’s kind words regarding Pakistan’s sincere efforts to advance peace, dialogue, and diplomacy in the region", the prime minister said.

Recent diplomatic context

Pakistan remains involved in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran as military pressure and concerns over renewed confrontation continue to shape the crisis. While a comprehensive agreement to end the war has yet to be reached, hostilities have largely subsided since both sides agreed to a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8.

Following that ceasefire, a first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, with Pakistan acting as mediator. Those talks ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown. With difficulties emerging in arranging a second round, Islamabad has returned to a facilitation role between the two sides.

The latest contact between the Pakistani and Azerbaijani leadership follows earlier high-level engagements. In November last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz met President Aliyev at the Presidential Palace in Baku during a two-day official visit to Azerbaijan at the latter’s invitation. At that time, the prime minister invited President Aliyev to visit Pakistan, an invitation that the PMO said was graciously accepted.

The prime minister also travelled to Azerbaijan in May 2025 during a four-nation tour. During that visit, he met President Aliyev and both leaders renewed their commitment to broaden the strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial sectors.