Islamabad is actively preparing for the official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Pakistan, which is expected to take place later this month. According to the Pakistani English-language outlet Business Recorder, a number of strategic agreements are set to be signed between the two countries during the visit. These agreements will reportedly cover sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and defense.
“It has been revealed that the President of Azerbaijan will announce investment projects in Pakistan worth over $2 billion, marking a significant step forward in economic cooperation between the two nations. Azerbaijan has extended a credit line exceeding $1 billion in response to Pakistan’s request for financing the Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway project, valued at $1.2 billion,” the report states.
As previously reported, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his recent visit to Baku, asked the Azerbaijani government to finance two infrastructure projects totaling $1.8 billion. These included the construction of the Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) for $1.2 billion, and a new Hyderabad–Karachi highway (M-9), planned to follow a new route and cost at least $600 million. In response, the Azerbaijani side proposed two financing options.
According to Business Recorder, ahead of President Aliyev’s visit, high-level Azerbaijani officials are expected to arrive in Islamabad to lay the groundwork for top-level discussions. Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on April 8 and meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss investment and trade cooperation.
Additionally, sources indicate that the Azerbaijani Air Force plans to discuss the potential procurement of JF-17 Block 3 fighter jets with the Pakistani side. The two friendly nations are also expected to deepen their cooperation in transportation, energy, industrial development, and defense manufacturing.
According to sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will personally oversee the signing of all agreements, highlighting the importance Islamabad places on its growing ties with Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev’s upcoming visit is seen as a continuation of a series of high-level engagements between the two countries. In February 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid an official visit to Baku, while Aliyev last visited Islamabad in July 2024.
“Analysts describe the current stage as the beginning of a ‘new chapter’ in Pakistan–Azerbaijan relations, noting increased cooperation in both economic and strategic domains. During Aliyev’s last visit, several agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed,” the publication notes.
Translated from haqqin.az
