Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, held a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, on Friday, to condemn the recent drone attacks on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
According to an official statement, the prime minister denounced the strikes targeting innocent civilians in Nakhchivan, and assured the Azerbaijani leadership that Pakistan stands firmly with the “brotherly people of Azerbaijan” during this difficult time.
The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in the region after drones struck the exclave of Nakhchivan on Thursday, damaging the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport and landing near a school in the village of Shakarabad.
Azerbaijani authorities reported that several civilians were injured in the attack. Baku has accused neighboring Iran of launching the drones, while Tehran has denied responsibility for the incident.
The attack has significantly raised concerns about the potential spread of instability beyond the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
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During the phone call, Prime Minister Sharif also briefed President Aliyev on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts in the aftermath of the evolving crisis in Iran and the wider Gulf region. He emphasized the need for coordinated international efforts to prevent further escalation.
The Azerbaijani leader acknowledged Pakistan’s consistent support during challenging times and welcomed Islamabad’s engagement in promoting regional stability.
The two leaders discussed the security situation and stressed the importance of restraint and dialogue to reduce tensions. Both sides underscored the need for de-escalation and the restoration of peace in the region.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan share close political and strategic ties, with Islamabad consistently supporting Baku on key international issues. The two countries have also expanded cooperation in trade, defense, and energy in recent years.
At the conclusion of the call, the two leaders agreed to remain in close contact as the situation unfolds and reiterated commitment to peace and stability in the region.
