ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone call with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday and discussed the ongoing diplomatic efforts for peace in the Middle East region.
During their conversation, both leaders exchanged greetings and reaffirmed the strong fraternal bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, according to a statement issued by the PM House’s media wing.
“The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to President Aliyev for the success of the upcoming World Urban Forum to be held in Baku next week,” it added.
He expressed confidence that the Forum, under Azerbaijan’s leadership, would provide an important platform for advancing the global urban development agenda.
He added that, due to pressing commitments, he would unfortunately be unable to attend the event in person, but assured that Pakistan would be represented at a high level during the Forum.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone call today with H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During their most warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders exchanged greetings and reaffirmed the strong fraternal bonds of friendship… pic.twitter.com/R5cRmzyT6e
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 12, 2026
The two leaders also welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
In addition, they discussed regional developments of shared concern, particularly ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East.
“President Aliyev expressed his deep appreciation at Pakistan’s remarkably successful initiatives to bring about a ceasefire between Iran and the US,” said the statement.
The two leaders agreed to maintain close contact, and looked forward to their meeting, in person, later this year. The Prime Minister also reiterated his cordial invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
I was pleased to speak with my dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, this evening.
During our cordial exchange, we reaffirmed the deep fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and our shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade,…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 12, 2026
Pakistan has continued diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington and to de-escalate the ongoing conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington on April 8 that halted the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
On April 11, Pakistan hosted high-stakes direct talks between the US and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad.
The Islamabad Talks concluded without a final agreement; however, they paved the way for further negotiations between Washington and Tehran to permanently resolve the conflict.
The war started after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory action from Tehran against Israel and the Gulf countries.
The confrontation also contributed to disruptions in maritime traffic around the Strait of Hormuz.
