Azerbaijan and Pakistan are friendly and fraternal nations, consistently supporting each other on both bilateral and multilateral platforms. The development of political, economic, trade, humanitarian, and military-technical relations between the two countries remains at a high level.
The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is built on a strong foundation of friendship and brotherhood. Pakistan was one of the first three states to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence in October 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Diplomatic relations were formally established on June 9, 1992. The Pakistani Embassy in Baku opened in March 1993, while Azerbaijan began its diplomatic mission in Islamabad in August 1997. In 2017, the two countries celebrated the silver anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
Since then, their relationship has steadily developed into a strategic alliance. Pakistan has consistently supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity on the international stage. In response to Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, Pakistan has refrained from establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia. Additionally, the Foreign Relations Committee of the Pakistani Senate recognized the Khojaly tragedy as genocide to further strengthen its support for Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan and Pakistan actively defend each other’s legitimate causes. Pakistan remains the only state that has neither recognized Armenia nor established diplomatic ties with it due to the occupation of Azerbaijani territories.
Azerbaijan firmly supports a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and international humanitarian principles.
Notably, Pakistan chaired the meeting that led to the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution No. 822 on Azerbaijan on April 30, 1993. The foundation of diplomatic engagement between the two countries was further strengthened after Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev met with Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Casablanca in December 1994.
The high-level exchanges between both countries have been pivotal in strengthening their bilateral ties. President of Pakistan Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari’s official visit to Baku in October 1995 and Heydar Aliyev’s visit to Pakistan in April 1996 played a significant role in shaping future cooperation.
Both nations are committed to protecting and furthering their achievements, demonstrating mutual support in international forums and aligning their positions on global matters. They collaborate across various sectors, including defense, energy, infrastructure, information technology, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
The military-political dimension of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations has always been crucial. The 2002 Agreement on Defense and Military Cooperation laid the foundation for expanded military ties between the two countries.
President Ilham Aliyev has consistently emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations. His official visit to Pakistan on April 12-13, 2005, and his participation in the 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization from February 28 to March 1, 2017, opened new avenues for cooperation. Similarly, high-level visits by Pakistani leaders including the President’s visits in 2015 and 2019 and the Prime Minister’s visits in 2016 and 2023have further reinforced the partnership.
The signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership by President Mamnoon Hussain during his official visit to Azerbaijan from March 11-14, 2015, was another milestone in bilateral relations.
President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Pakistan on July 11-12, 2024, was of historic significance, strengthening the strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across all sectors.
Most recently, on February 23, 2025, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited Azerbaijan to further solidify bilateral ties. The visit reaffirmed that both countries would continue their mutual support in international institutions while deepening their strategic partnership.
President Ilham Aliyev: “We, as brothers, will be with you in all our future plans and activities.”
The primary objective of this visit was to enhance cooperation in political, economic, and defense spheres, reaffirming the strength and inviolability of Azerbaijan-Pakistan ties.
Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif compared Pakistan and Azerbaijan to “two hearts in one body,” stating: “Azerbaijan and Pakistan have brotherly and friendly relations. Our relations are based on mutual support, sincerity, and respect. We have firmly supported and will continue to support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.”
This sentiment reflects the sincere nature of the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Azerbaijan and Pakistan also attach great importance to cooperation in humanitarian efforts. Azerbaijan has provided over $9 million in aid to Pakistan to address natural disasters and emergencies. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has played a vital role in strengthening humanitarian cooperation, and implementing socially oriented projects in Pakistan.
In 2008, the foundation built a secondary school for girls affected by the earthquake in Pakistan and later renovated it in 2012. Following the devastating 2010 floods, Azerbaijan provided $1 million in aid, followed by another $2 million in 2011.
From 2012 to 2018, under the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Pakistan received medical equipment, ambulances, and financial assistance for healthcare infrastructure, including the Heydar Aliyev Water Supply System in the Dera Ismail Khan region.
For these outstanding contributions, Mehriban Aliyeva was recognized as the “Symbol of Humanism – Woman of the Year 2012” by Pakistan’s Women Volunteers Organization and Daily Times. In 2015, President Mamnoon Hussain awarded her Pakistan’s Supreme Order of “Hilal-e-Pakistan”, making her the first First Lady to receive this honour.
Beyond diplomacy and politics, Azerbaijan and Pakistan are connected through deep cultural and linguistic ties. Pakistanis take great interest in Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, while Azerbaijani institutions promote Pakistani literature, music, and art.
These relations are based on political interests, sincere friendship, and brotherhood. Azerbaijan and Pakistan are not just allied nations but fraternal peoples who share each other’s joys and sorrows.
There is no doubt that these ties will continue to strengthen and reach new strategic heights. Azerbaijan and Pakistan will persist in supporting each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international positions. The two nations will remain steadfast allies on all global platforms, fostering a future of deeper cooperation and unwavering solidarity.
Dr. Khayala Mammadova
The writer is a scientific researcher in Baku, Azerbaijan
Muhammad Asif Noor
The writer is Director, the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies
