BAKU -APP:Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that Pakistan and Azerbaijan would sign deals in April, boosting bilateral investments to $2 billion, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
The announcement came as the premier met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, where he had arrived yesterday on a two-day official visit.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy a long-standing bond of brotherhood, underpinned by shared values and common aspirations. PM Shehbaz’s visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepening bilateral ties, enhancing economic cooperation and fostering regional collaboration.
“Pakistan and Azerbaijan have decided to enhance the scope of bilateral investment up to $2bn in areas of mutually beneficial projects,” the report stated, adding that the decision was made during their talks between the two leaders.
Addressing a joint press conference with President Aliyev later, PM Shehbaz said: “I am extremely grateful to you when you announced that Azerbaijan will invest $2bn dollars in Pakistan in ventures that are mutually beneficial, which will bring dividends to both countries.”
Noting that a month’s deadline had been given to “both sides to finalise all arrangements”, the premier also confirmed that a delegation from Azerbaijan would be visiting Pakistan in April to sign those deals.
“In the month of April, God-willing, once everything is discussed and decided, I will be deeply honoured and extremely happy to receive you in Islamabad to ink these agreements,” he said.
Highlighting the defence ties between the countries, the prime minister called for enhancing those by having “joint defence production facilities”. “When the Azerbaijan delegation visits Pakistan in April, this will be one of the high-priority agendas,” PM Shehbaz said.
In September last year, Azerbaijan bought JF-17 Block III fighter jets from Pakistan, reportedly in a $1.6bn deal.
