Pakistani PM thanks Azerbaijan for resolute support during South Asia crisis

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a phone conversation held earlier today, underscoring Azerbaijan’s firm support for Pakistan during the recent escalation with India.

In a message posted to his official account on the social media platform X, Sharif emphasised the strength of brotherly ties between the two nations, per Caliber.Az.

"Spoke to my dear brother President Ilham Aliyev this afternoon and conveyed my profound gratitude to him for Azerbaijan’s resolute support to Pakistan during the recent crisis in South Asia," the prime minister wrote. "The overwhelming support of the people and leadership of Azerbaijan has demonstrated to the world that Pakistan and Azerbaijan are true brothers."

He added that the conversation also focused on strengthening economic cooperation, noting: "We also discussed ways to deepen our bilateral partnership through enhanced Azerbaijani investment in Pakistan and reiterated my invitation to the President to visit Islamabad at his earliest convenience."

Sharif’s remarks came on the same day that Pakistan held a large-scale patriotic demonstration of appreciation, organised by the MUSLIM Institute under the leadership of Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, a well-known advocate for stronger Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties.

The event took place at the mausoleum complex of the Sufi saint Sultan Bahu and attracted thousands of participants. The gathering honoured the Pakistani Armed Forces and allied nations that offered support during the recent military flare-up with India. Central to the event was a human formation of the J-10C fighter jet, widely celebrated by participants as a symbol of Pakistan’s aerial prowess. Organisers claimed the aircraft had played a crucial role in "shattering Indian arrogance" and "destroying French Rafale fighter jets" during the hostilities.

Participants also formed a large-scale message reading “THANK YOU AZERBAIJAN,” expressing their appreciation for Azerbaijan’s solidarity. Patriotic slogans such as “Pakistan Zindabad!” (“Long live Pakistan!”) echoed throughout the event, reflecting strong public sentiment.

This expression of gratitude follows a series of recent diplomatic gestures that have highlighted the deepening strategic alignment between the two countries. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Sharif received Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov in Islamabad, where he again expressed sincere thanks to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan for their steadfast support. During that meeting, Sharif emphasised that Azerbaijan’s principled stance reflected a time-tested friendship and deep-rooted brotherhood between the two nations.

Azerbaijan’s support was also formalised in an official statement released by its embassy in Islamabad on May 9. The declaration reiterated Baku’s full support for Pakistan and denounced what it described as Indian aggression. It affirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to standing with Pakistan during a period of "heightened challenge."

The recent crisis in South Asia erupted following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. On April 22, gunmen killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, prompting India to accuse Pakistan-based militants of orchestrating the assault—an allegation Islamabad categorically rejected. The incident triggered a dangerous escalation, including cross-border airstrikes and missile exchanges between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

International concern grew rapidly as tensions mounted. The conflict was eventually brought to a halt through a US-brokered ceasefire, though the situation remains fragile. Both India and Pakistan continue to issue stern warnings and reaffirm their respective territorial claims.

Amid ongoing tensions, the show of unity between Pakistan and Azerbaijan has emerged as a prominent example of solidarity within the broader Islamic world and has opened the door to further bilateral engagement, not only in defence cooperation but also in trade and investment.

By Tamilla Hasanova