Pakistan and Azerbaijan have pledged to deepen bilateral ties by advancing joint projects and trade partnerships. The commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Privatization and Investment Abdul Aleem Khan and Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov.
Khan emphasized the need to translate strong diplomatic ties into tangible economic outcomes, particularly by fostering collaboration in tourism and infrastructure. “We need to convert our mutual relations into business and bilateral trade, and positive progress is being made on both sides toward this goal,” Khan said.
Investment focus on Pakistan’s Motorways
The minister invited Azerbaijani companies to invest in Pakistan, highlighting the immense opportunities in the infrastructure sector, including the M6 and M9 Motorways. The M6 Motorway, a 306-kilometer six-lane project, will connect Sukkur to Hyderabad, while the M9 Motorway links Karachi to Hyderabad over 136 kilometers. Both projects are open to foreign investment under government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) models.
Azerbaijan’s commitment to collaboration
Ambassador Farhadov assured Pakistan of Azerbaijan’s full cooperation in joint ventures, pledging active participation in investment opportunities. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening ties and fostering mutual economic growth, noting that collaboration could unlock significant potential in both countries.
The meeting also explored the prospect of trilateral cooperation involving Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye. To ensure seamless coordination, the Board of Investment was tasked with appointing a focal person to liaise with Azerbaijani authorities.
Momentum from recent engagements
This latest development builds on months of intensified diplomatic exchanges, including high-level delegations and Pakistan’s active participation in the COP29 conference in Baku. The meetings have laid the groundwork for stronger bilateral relations, particularly in areas like tourism and infrastructure development.
Ambassador Qasim Mohiuddin, participating via video link, revealed that Azerbaijani government institutions are keen to invest in Pakistan and engage in the privatization of state-owned enterprises.
With practical initiatives set to begin soon, both nations aim to strengthen economic ties and foster long-term growth through these collaborative efforts.