Lachin: Amid heightened tensions with India, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Turkey and Azerbaijan for their unwavering support.
Speaking at a trilateral summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, attended by leaders of Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, the prime minister accused India of using the recent Pahalgam incident as a pretext for aggression.
"We sought peace yesterday, we seek peace today, and we will prioritize peace in the future," Sharif said during the summit.
According to Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV, Prime Minister Sharif also joined the presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan in celebrations marking Azerbaijan’s Independence Day. Addressing the gathering, he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue.
"India accused Pakistan without presenting any evidence regarding the Pahalgam incident. We offered to cooperate in investigations, but India rejected our offer," he said, adding that India is attempting to weaponize water by threatening to block Pakistan’s share—an act he warned would not be tolerated. “This water is the lifeline of our 240 million people,” he emphasized.
Sharif lauded Pakistan’s military leadership, particularly Field Marshal Asim Munir, for playing a key role during the current crisis. He stressed Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, noting that the country has lost over 90,000 lives in its battle against extremism.
The prime minister described the trilateral meeting as a step toward unified progress, noting that Pakistan is fortunate to have true friends like Turkey and Azerbaijan. He also congratulated the people and government of Azerbaijan on their Independence Day.
In his address, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev underlined the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the three nations. He recalled the support Azerbaijan received from Pakistan and Turkey during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabagh conflict and announced a planned $2 billion investment in Pakistan, with relevant projects under review.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, also addressing the summit, highlighted the mutual respect and trust that define the relationship among the three nations. He expressed Turkey’s commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation and shared optimism about the development and prosperity of Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.
The trilateral summit in Lachin reaffirmed the resolve of Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to work together toward common strategic goals in the region.
