Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, met on Tuesday to reaffirm their nations’ commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in key sectors including oil exploration, renewable energy, information technology, and regional infrastructure development.

Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation with a message of goodwill for President Ilham Aliyev. He highlighted the enduring brotherly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, emphasizing shared faith and culture as foundations for mutual respect and collaboration.

The meeting reviewed progress on recent agreements and invited Azerbaijan to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in oil exploration and mining. The prime minister also praised the Azerbaijani delegation’s efforts in beautifying Islamabad, following its declaration as a twin city with Baku.

The expected visit of Azerbaijan’s President was mentioned, with Prime Minister Sharif expressing satisfaction at the efforts to enhance trade to a target of $2 billion. Azerbaijani Minister Jabbarov expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s hospitality and indicated Azerbaijan’s interest in further cooperation across various sectors.

The discussions also covered renewable energy projects, the White Oil Pipeline, and Azerbaijan’s potential investment in Pakistan’s motorways. The Azerbaijani delegation’s engagements in Pakistan and the promotion of trade through the International North-South Transport Corridor were also reviewed.

The meeting saw attendance from senior officials of both nations, reflecting the high-level interest in fostering stronger economic ties.