Baku, June 23, AZERTAC

On June 19, the official website of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s reputable information agency, “Internews Pakistan”, published an article by Humbat Musayev, editor in chief of the Azerbaijani newspaper “Respublika”, titled “A New Stage in Azerbaijan-Pakistan Relations: Strategic Significance and the Lachin Summit”.

“Internews Pakistan”, based in Islamabad, is an independent information agency specializing primarily in print and electronic media. It delivers text, photo, and video content in digital multimedia format and provides daily updates on current events, including news reports, articles, analytical reviews, and thematic essays. The agency serves more than 500 organizations both domestically and internationally – including newspapers, radio stations, television channels, and internet portals. The publication of an article on Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations on the official website of such a prestigious agency as Internews Pakistan represents a significant step in the deepening of media and information cooperation between the two countries.

The author notes that the foundations of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations were laid immediately after Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, and with the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, a formal phase of bilateral friendship began. This solid historical basis has since created favorable conditions for the further deepening of political, economic, and military cooperation over the following decades.

Humbat Musayev, editor in chief of “Respublika”, writes that the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Lachin on the eve of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day in May of this year, and the high-level Lachin Summit held there, marked the beginning of a new era in Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations. According to Musayev, this summit, which brought together the leaders of three brotherly nations – Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Türkiye – on the liberated territories of Azerbaijan for the first time, holds both symbolic and strategic significance.

The article particularly emphasizes that the organization of such a high-level event in Lachin – seen as a symbol of Azerbaijan’s independence and territorial integrity – was presented by the head of state as a clear demonstration of the country’s restored sovereignty and national revival process. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to Pakistan and Türkiye for their moral and political support for Azerbaijan’s just cause and underscored the importance of continuing trilateral cooperation at the strategic level. This position, as the article highlights, is a clear expression of political will aimed at both regional security and the institutionalization of cooperation platforms.

In Humbat Musayev’s view, the fact that the summit was held on Independence Day not only reaffirms Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights over its liberated territories but also reflects the support of brotherly countries for this process. The summit coincided with the inauguration of the Lachin International Airport, turning this day into a milestone for regional reintegration and reconstruction.

The Lachin Summit was not merely symbolic in nature; it was also marked by concrete agreements. In the economic sphere, agreements signed between SOCAR and Pakistan’s energy institutions – including oil pipeline projects, the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and long-term export of petroleum products – significantly strengthened the economic foundations of bilateral relations. Azerbaijan’s plan to invest 2 billion USD in Pakistan’s economy indicates the formation of a new strategic partnership trajectory between the two countries.

Military cooperation is also progressing along an upward trajectory. Notably, the sale of Pakistan-manufactured JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Azerbaijan, the organization of the “Three Brothers” joint military exercises, and the development of joint projects in the defense industry signal further expansion in this field. It is emphasized that this cooperation goes beyond a bilateral dimension and, with Türkiye’s involvement, contributes to regional security as a factor of stability.

The author notes that in the context of future prospects, Azerbaijan-Pakistan cooperation is not limited to the energy and defense sectors. There is substantial potential for expanding mutual ties in fields such as culture, education, and information technologies. In particular, the twinning of Nakhchivan and Lahore and reciprocal visits by official delegations foster deeper people-to-people connections. This cooperation should not remain solely at the intergovernmental level but must also manifest in civil society and public diplomacy engagements.

The editor in chief of “Respublika” draws attention to the mutual political support demonstrated on international platforms, noting that Azerbaijan consistently supports Pakistan’s just position on the Kashmir issue, while Pakistan firmly defends Azerbaijan’s sovereignty with regard to Karabakh. This political solidarity is rooted not only in historic friendship but also in a shared strategic vision.

According to the author, the Lachin Summit has ushered in a qualitatively new stage in Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations, where cooperation is reinforced not only through political statements but also through tangible joint projects in the spheres of energy, defense, transport, and humanitarian affairs. This demonstrates that bilateral relations have evolved into a deepening strategic alliance. The editor in chief emphasizes that the current state and trajectory of Azerbaijan-Pakistan ties promise stability, enhanced cooperation, and mutual benefit not only for both countries but also for the broader region. At the foundation of these relations lie mutual respect, trust, and deep historical and cultural bonds. The Lachin Summit stands as one of the key expressions of this strategic vision and has created a robust platform for the sustained development of trilateral cooperation.

The publication of Humbat Musayev’s article on such a reputable international information platform as “Internews Pakistan” is of great significance in terms of communicating the importance of the existing brotherhood and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan to a wide readership and further reinforcing these ties.

You can find the full article via the following link.