DNA
Baku, Oct 28 — Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, held a bilateral meeting with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the International Parliamentary Conference dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
At the outset, Chairman Senate extended warm greetings to the Azerbaijani leadership and expressed deep appreciation for the long-standing and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. He emphasized that the pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity represents not only the aspiration of individual nations but a collective mission of the two countries — united by bonds of faith, history, and enduring friendship.
Chairman Gilani expressed his pleasure at meeting Speaker Sahiba Gafarova once again, recalling their interaction in Islamabad only days earlier, and conveyed his happiness to be back in Baku. He referred to the successful Trilateral Conference among Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye recently held in Islamabad as a milestone in regional parliamentary cooperation.
The Chairman highlighted that Pakistan’s relationship with Azerbaijan transcends formal diplomacy, rooted in centuries of shared heritage and cultural exchange dating back to the Silk Road era. Referring to the historic Multani Caravanserai in Baku, a 14th-century inn that served as a resting place for traders from Multan, he noted that this site remains a symbol of the deep historical and cultural ties connecting the peoples of both nations. He added that his own roots in Multan further strengthen this special connection, and extended an invitation to Speaker Gafarova to visit Multan.
Reflecting on his tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Gilani recalled his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during the World Economic Forum in Davos (2012), where both sides discussed deepening cooperation in energy, infrastructure development, and agriculture. He noted that the foundation laid during those high-level engagements continues to guide the strong and trusting relationship between the two nations today.
He congratulated Azerbaijan for bringing peace and stability to the region through its recent rapprochement with Armenia, and expressed support for ongoing efforts to promote peace and development in the South Caucasus.
The Chairman also extended an invitation to the Azerbaijani leadership to participate in the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) being hosted by the Senate of Pakistan in Islamabad from November 10–12, 2025. He underscored that the event will provide an important platform to discuss regional peace, security, and development, while further strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation and friendship.
Chairman Gilani further recalled Pakistan’s active engagement with Azerbaijan through multilateral forums such as the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network (NAMPN). He congratulated Azerbaijan on its re-election within NAM’s parliamentary structure, emphasizing that this continuity would enhance institutional stability and strengthen parliamentary cooperation across member states.
Speaker Sahiba Gafarova warmly welcomed Chairman Gilani and noted that this was their second meeting within a month. She expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to her delegation during their visit to Pakistan, and thanked Chairman Gilani for attending the celebrations marking the Year of the Constitution and Statehood of Azerbaijan, declared by President Ilham Aliyev following the restoration of full sovereignty over the Karabakh region.
Speaker Gafarova briefed Chairman Gilani on the recent peace and development efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia and expressed the need for further initiatives to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. Both sides looked forward to Pakistan’s participation in upcoming events, to which Chairman Gilani assured his full support.
Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to enhance collaboration through regular parliamentary exchanges, mutual visits, and joint initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, regional stability, and closer people-to-people linkages.
The meeting concluded in a spirit of warmth and mutual understanding, reflecting the deep-rooted partnership and shared vision that continue to define Pakistan–Azerbaijan relations.
