Lachin: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Lachin on Tuesday. He is attending the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit. This is the third stop of his five-day diplomatic tour.
Earlier in the day, the premier concluded his two-day visit to Iran. He then departed for Azerbaijan. Before this, he visited Turkiye. His final destination will be Tajikistan.
Warm Welcome in Lachin
At Lachin Airport, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the prime minister. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Qasim Mohiuddin, and other diplomatic officials were also present.
PM Shehbaz is accompanied by top government officials. These include Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
Focus on Regional Peace
The summit holds significance as regional tensions remain high. Leaders from Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan are meeting to discuss peace, trade, and defense cooperation. The three countries aim to strengthen strategic and regional ties.
The prime minister will also meet Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for a one-on-one meeting. Bilateral matters and regional security will be discussed.
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India-Pakistan Tensions Loom Large
The visit comes days after a major military escalation. On May 7, India launched unprovoked strikes in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These attacks killed at least 31 civilians.
Pakistan responded with full force. The Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft. Several Indian drones were also destroyed.
In four days of fighting, over 40 civilians and 11 Pakistani soldiers were martyred. On May 10, both sides agreed to a ceasefire. This ended the worst cross-border violence in nearly three decades.
Pakistan Launches Diplomatic Counteroffensive
Pakistan has stepped up global outreach. The goal is to expose India’s propaganda and aggression. The country is working to build international support.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will lead a high-level delegation. He will brief global leaders, lawmakers, and media outlets. The message is clear: Pakistan wants peace, not war.
Strategic Tour Aims for Unity
PM Shehbaz’s multi-nation tour reflects Pakistan’s commitment to regional harmony. After Turkiye and Iran, his presence in Azerbaijan underscores the importance of unity among Muslim nations.
Tajikistan, the final leg of his journey, will further solidify regional diplomacy. Each visit includes talks on economic cooperation, defense ties, and collective security.