ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) convened a high-level discussiom titled “Azerbaijan-Pakistan Relations Post-Pahalgam: Imperatives for Regional Peace”, featuring Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies and Dr. Fariz Ismailzade, Vice Rector of ADA University in Baku, member of the Azerbaijan Parliament, and Director of the Institute for Development and Diplomacy.
The discussion was held against the backdrop of the Pahalgam Incident, a watershed moment in South Asian security calculus, which has injected new urgency into regional diplomacy, and it explored as to how the development is likely to influence Pakistan’s regional posture and Azerbaijan’s foreign policy nuances.
President IRS, highlighted the strengths of Azerbaijan and Pakistan’s deep rooted ties, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing energy cooperation, including Azerbaijan’s stakes in LNG supplies and potential for diversification. Ambassador Saleem also brought out India’s illegal, post-Pahalgam aggression, and underscored Pakistan’s responsible and mature stance on the issue.
Dr. Ismailzade noted that Pakistan and Azerbaijan have significantly ramped up their defense cooperation in recent years, and credited Pakistan for advancing Baku’s contemporary defense industrial needs. He also underlined Pakistan’s support in helping Baku liberate occupied lands in Karabakh, and saw substantive growth in business-to-business interactions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident.
“Turkiye, Pakistan and Azerbaijan are pivotal countries in Greater Eurasia,” said Dr. Ismailzade, highlighting the central support of Azerbaijan and Turkiye for Pakistan during India’s post-Pahalgam aggression.
The discussion featured a comprehensive assessment of bilateral cooperation across political, defense, economic, and cultural domains. Strategic implications of the Pahalgam Incident and the evolving security architecture in South and Central Asiawere also major points of focus, alongside bilateral opportunities for enhanced collaboration in defense technology, counter-terrorism, energy trade, investment and connectivity.
