BAKU, Azerbaijan: Pakistan “just like their Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers” seeks peace, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday, adding that no one can never be allowed to challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty or undermine its territorial integrity.
PM Sharif made the remarks while addressing Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade in Baku, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Prime Minister again thanked US President Donald Trump for his leadership that brokered a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May.
“It was President Trump’s bold and decisive leadership that brought about the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, restoring peace in South Asia — averting a major war and saving millions of people,” the prime minister said, expressing gratitude to President Trump for mediating peace efforts between the two nuclear neighbours during their May conflict.
PM Sharif said President Trump’s peace initiative had successfully restored stability in South Asia at a critical moment.
Tribute to Azerbaijan’s Victory and Pakistan’s Support
The premier praised Azerbaijan’s “historic victory” in the 44-day Karabakh Liberation War, describing it as a “glorious vindication” of a just cause and a beacon of hope for all nations striving for sovereignty and self-determination.
He recalled that the Azerbaijani and Turkish military contingents had proudly marched alongside Pakistan’s armed forces in Islamabad on August 14 this year, during the celebration of Marka-i-Haq — a commemoration of Pakistan’s “historic victory” in its four-day conflict with India earlier this year.
The Pakistan Army had designated the conflict period from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the May 10 conclusion of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos as Marka-i-Haq.
“The courageous sons of Azerbaijan, under the bold and visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, rose to respond to the call of history,” PM Sharif said.
“Throughout this entire struggle for liberation, Pakistan stood like a rock with its brotherly country Azerbaijan.”
He added that Azerbaijan’s victory in Karabakh served as an inspiration to oppressed peoples, including those in Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Turkiye and Qatar’s Peace Facilitation
Referring to recent tensions with the Afghan Taliban regime, the prime minister said Pakistan’s common resolve for peace had once again been tested.
He expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for their “invaluable contribution” in facilitating peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban regime.
“This is a true reflection of the strong and time-tested fraternal ties between our countries that stand together through thick and thin,” he said.
Pakistan Troops and JF-17 Jets Join Victory Parade
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that Pakistani troops and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets were participating in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade.
“Long live Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship. Pakistani troops and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets will be appearing in Azerbaijan’s victory parade today, commemorating the liberation of Karabakh,” the minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Long live Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship
🇵🇰🇦🇿Pakistani troops and JF 17 Thunder fighter jets will be appearing in Azerbaijan's victory parade today commemorating the Liberation of Karabagh. https://t.co/T5hRtDRvIl
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) November 8, 2025
Victory Day is marked annually on 8 November in Azerbaijan to commemorate its victory in the 44-day Karabakh Liberation War against Armenia.
Meeting Between Sharif and Aliyev
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev met in Baku, where both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, and defence.
According to a PMO statement, the two leaders reviewed the “whole range” of bilateral relations and agreed to enhance “multi-layered cooperation” across key sectors.
Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was also present at the meeting.
The prime minister also extended an invitation to President Aliyev to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, which the Azerbaijani leader accepted.
In a post on X, Shehbaz said he looked forward to attending the “grand parade” and described his meeting with Aliyev as “a review of the deep-rooted and fraternal ties between our two countries” with an agreement to “further expand cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and defence.”
Had the pleasure and honour to meet my dear brother President Ilham Aliyev in the beautiful city of Baku today, along with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
I warmly congratulated the leadership, people, and government of Azerbaijan on their Victory Day, and look forward to the… pic.twitter.com/UXkyb3fe5G
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 7, 2025
Defence Cooperation Deepens
Defence collaboration between the two nations continues to strengthen. Pakistan had signed an agreement to supply JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, following the country’s earlier announcement in July 2024 of a $2 billion investment in Pakistan.
Last month, a Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising JF-17 Thunder Block III jets and trained air and ground crew landed in Azerbaijan for the bilateral air combat exercise Indus Shield Alpha.
PAF CONTINGENT ARRIVES IN AZERBAIJAN FOR BILATERAL EXERCISE INDUS SHIELD ALPHA
19 October, 2025: Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising the cutting-edge JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets, accompanied by skilled air and ground crew, has landed in Azerbaijan to participate in… pic.twitter.com/pDgyg9rwMM
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) October 19, 2025
The exercise aimed to enhance tactical coordination, mutual understanding, and interoperability between the two air forces.
Diplomatic Engagements
In July 2024, President Ilham Aliyev visited Islamabad, where the two countries reaffirmed cooperation in energy and defence.
Earlier, in May, Prime Minister Sharif visited Baku as part of Pakistan’s broader economic diplomacy initiative to offer Central Asian republics access to Pakistan’s southern ports of Karachi and Gwadar.
The two leaders also met in July in Khankendi on the sidelines of the 17th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit.
Shared Commitment and Regional Unity
Prime Minister Sharif praised President Aliyev for signing a landmark peace agreement with Armenia earlier this year.
During their meeting, Aliyev expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its steadfast support during Azerbaijan’s struggle against Armenia and acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability across South Asia.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan share “deep-rooted fraternal ties grounded in common faith, history, culture, and mutual trust,” according to the PMO.
The two countries also work closely in regional and international forums such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), and the United Nations (UN).
