PM Shehbaz urges rejection of conflict and focus on peace at Lachin meeting
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a high-level trilateral summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, where the leaders collectively called for the rejection of conflict and emphasized the importance of peace.
The summit symbolized the unity of these historically allied nations, with Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan renewing their mutual support on long-standing regional issues such as Kashmir, Karabakh, and Northern Cyprus.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, participated in the summit as part of his broader four-nation diplomatic tour, which has included visits to Turkey and Iran. He is scheduled to proceed to Tajikistan to attend the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe.
In his address, Shehbaz highlighted the severe challenges facing the world today, including conflict, climate change, disease, and economic instability. “That is why the three of us have come together, choosing compassion over conflict,” he said. “We believe patience and wisdom will ultimately bring peace and prosperity.”
He expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for his warm hospitality and described the summit as “a gathering of hearts and souls of true friends and sincere well-wishers.”
Recalling productive talks during last year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakhstan, Shehbaz said the trilateral partnership is ready to soar to “new heights,” reflecting the aspirations of their peoples. “This unity is no surprise, given the deep historical, cultural, and spiritual bonds Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey share, forged over centuries through common values and mutual support.”
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with Baku and Ankara, underscoring the country’s steadfast positions on Karabakh and Turkish Cyprus. “Our strength is rooted in our solidarity and mutual respect,” he said.
He also thanked both nations for their public support during Pakistan’s recent military standoff with India following the Pahalgam incident. “We were deeply moved by the passion and enthusiasm shown by our peoples,” Shehbaz added.
He criticized India for failing to present credible evidence linking Pakistan to the incident and rejecting Islamabad’s proposal for a neutral and transparent international inquiry.
Opening the summit, President Ilham Aliyev voiced concern about the Pakistan-India tensions and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s solidarity with Pakistan. “We closely followed the situation, hoping for peace to prevail. From the start, we stood with our brotherly Pakistan,” he said.
Aliyev emphasized that dialogue and negotiation, aligned with the UN Charter and resolutions, remain the best means to resolve conflicts.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz congratulated Aliyev and the Azerbaijani people on their Republic Day. “The struggle of the Azeri nation for its liberation has earned it a distinguished place in the community of nations,” he remarked.
He also praised President Erdogan for his diplomatic handling of the Kurdish rebel issue, referring to the recent disbandment of the PKK. “Your diplomatic skills in resolving this challenge have earned you respect and influence far beyond the region,” he said.
The previous day, Shehbaz held a bilateral meeting with President Aliyev, thanking him for Azerbaijan’s support during the recent India confrontation. Chief of Army Staff Gen Munir was also present.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, both sides recommitted to diversifying their strategic partnership and enhancing investment opportunities. Azerbaijan agreed to facilitate delegation exchanges to further discuss its investments in Pakistan.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Shehbaz described the visit as a celebration of “historic bonds built on shared history, mutual trust, and unwavering support.” He expressed confidence that under President Aliyev’s leadership, bilateral relations would continue to strengthen.
