PM Shehbaz Sharif Highlights Regional Solidarity, Peace, and Joint Efforts in Speech at Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Summit

Lachin, The Gulf Observer: A high-level trilateral summit bringing together Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye; and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was held in the city of Lachin. The summit underscored the deepening strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation among the three nations.

During the meeting, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan delivered a keynote address, highlighting the importance of regional solidarity, mutual support, and shared commitments to peace, security, and sustainable development.

Speech by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Honorable President Ilham Aliyev,

Honorable President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,

Honorable ministers, distinguished delegates, Assalamu Alaikum and a very good afternoon.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate my dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev and our brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan on your Independence Day and the way Azeri nation fought for its liberation. You earned high position on the international stage.

I would also like to, at this point, extend my heartfelt felicitations to my dear brother, President Tayyip Erdoğan for having very skillfully resolving the issue of PKK and that goes to explain in volumes, my brother, your diplomatic skills to resolve this issue. By virtue of this, you have earned a high place and influence not only in the region but beyond.

My dear brother, President Ilham, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your very warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to my delegation and to me. It is a profound honor to join my very dear brothers, President Aliyev and President Erdoğan in this August setting that reflects the meeting of hearts and souls of genuine friends and sincere well-wishers. Watching the fluttering of flags of Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Pakistan here in the serene beauty of Lachin, our hearts are filled with immense joy and pride.

Excellencies, we met in July last year at Astana in the trilateral format and had the most fruitful discussions on issues of mutual interest and now at this stunningly beautiful venue of Lachin, we are now eagerly looking forward to take our trilateral partnership to new heights that would be in consonance with the wishes and desires of our peoples. This should be no surprise to anyone as Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye are bound together by deep historical, cultural and spiritual ties forged through centuries of shared values and mutual support.

My dear brothers, in more recent times, this historical relationship has been further strengthened as we have stood by each other, whether it be on Karabakh, Kashmir or northern Turkish Cyprus. Our strength lies in our solidarity and our mutual respect. This is but only natural as our peoples too have given us their passionate support as witness in the outpouring of love and affection in both Türkiye and Azerbaijan. We could not but be mesmerized with the intensity of fervor and enthusiasm of our common citizens. During Pakistan’s recent conflict with India, which not only failed to bring up any credible evidence against Pakistan, but also rejected our sincere and generous offer of a neutral, transparent investigation into the so-called incident at Pahalgam by any international body.

My dear brothers, the world we live in faces numerous grave challenges, including armed conflicts, climate change, diseases and economic crisis. This is why the three of us have assembled here today, opting for compassion while rejecting conflict. We are confident that patience and wisdom will ultimately usher in peace and prosperity. In today’s unpredictable and volatile world, political security architectures, connectivity alignments and emerging technologies are shaping the new reality. In such a situation, Pakistan is very fortunate to have sincere brothers like Türkiye and Azerbaijan, who have stood together with us as impregnable rocks and whom we can trust without a second thought, unhesitatingly, as brothers-in-arms, forever united in peace, justice and morality.

Dear brothers, I am confident that our time-tested relationship would not only be beneficial for the well-being of our own people, but also contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond. This trilateral format is both very timely and of great importance and significance for all of us, as it gives us the necessary political ownership and the impetus to move forward collectively and in unison in all spheres of our common interests.

Finally, I would once again like to thank you from the core of my heart to have supported Pakistan in the recent conflict, which was obviously very serious. It was an aggression from India against Pakistan for no rhyme or reason. And at that point in time, my very dear brother, President Tayyip Erdoğan, your firm stand and your solidarity with the people of Pakistan, as well as my very dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev, your unwavering commitment with the people of Pakistan and firm stand during this crisis has earned the highest level of appreciation and deep gratitude from the people of Pakistan, my government and myself. And we will remain grateful to both of you and the both nations for all time to come.

My statement would be incomplete if I, at this point in time, did not mention about the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who led the armed forces of Pakistan, who fought with great bravery and highest level of professional acumen and the entire Pakistani nation standing behind our armed forces and him. I saw him during those moments, God fearing, fearless, firm and with an iron resolve, with patience and obviously with fortitude to face that aggression. Alhamdulillah, with Allah Almighty’s infinite blessings and kindness and the support of the people of Pakistan and your support, we were victorious.

But I have said in all humility that we want peace in the region. Yesterday we wanted peace, today we want peace and tomorrow we want peace. And that requires talks on the table on issues, which need urgent attention and amicable resolution. That is the issue of Kashmir according to the resolutions of United Nations and Security Council and as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

The second is the water issue. Unfortunately, my very dear brothers, India tried to weaponize Indus Waters Treaty, which is a lifeline for the people of Pakistan, 240 million people for their agriculture use, their own use for drinking purposes and many other purposes. I think this is most unfortunate that India tried to threaten to stop our flow of water to Pakistan. This is not possible, this was never possible and this will not be possible inshallah. We are making proper arrangements to ensure that India never ever does it.

The final is the question of terrorism. I have said in all earnest that if India wants to talk on countering terrorism in sincerity of purpose, Pakistan would be willing to talk to India on this issue as well. But this is a fact of life, my very dear brothers, that we are the biggest victim of terrorism around the globe. We lost 90,000 people, valuable lives of Pakistan and we have lost 150 billion dollars worth of economic losses over the last many decades and there cannot be a bigger commitment and our intention to beat this menace for all time to come. And in that, if India wants in all sincerity, honest cooperation, Pakistan would be willing along with promotion of trade with India.

All these issues need to be discussed on table. I would be extremely grateful for your support in this behalf as my very dear brothers and real brothers in fact. May Allah Almighty in his wisdom and benevolence guide us in the journey that we are undertaking.

Thank you my dear brothers, long live Pakistan- Azerbaijan-Türkiye friendship and brotherhood!