Azerbaijan, Pakistan seek closer rail links to boost regional trade Photo

Azerbaijan and Pakistan are exploring ways to deepen transport cooperation in a bid to enhance regional connectivity and trade flows, officials said following high-level talks in Baku.

Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, met on May 15 with Bilal Azhar Kayani, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Railways, to discuss expanding joint initiatives in freight transportation and cross-border logistics, Caliber.Az reports.

The two sides reviewed prospects for increasing cargo turnover and establishing container transport along a planned route linking Pakistan with Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

Earlier, Kayani, in an interview with local media, stressed that Pakistan is seeking to expand its cooperation with Azerbaijan across the economic and defence sectors.

Kayani noted that while Pakistan and Azerbaijan already enjoy close diplomatic relations, there remains considerable untapped potential in trade and investment. He highlighted recent high-level exchanges between the two countries, reflecting the importance Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif places on strengthening ties with Baku. 

Beyond economic engagement, Kayani pointed to strong military cooperation between the two nations. He emphasised the mutual support shown in key foreign policy matters, such as Azerbaijan’s backing of Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and Pakistan’s consistent support for Azerbaijan on the Karabakh conflict.

By Aghakazim Guliyev