Shehbaz, Erdogan, Aliyev enjoy post-summit stroll in Khankendi

Leaders held hands in a show of unity, symbolising strong ties among Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev took a friendly stroll together in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, following the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit.

The Azerbaijani president briefed the prime minister and the Turkish president about Khankendi and its historic buildings, the Prime Minister's Office Media Wing said in a statement on Saturday.

The three leaders engaged in an informal and pleasant conversation during the walk.

As a symbolic gesture of unity, the leaders held hands to express the exemplary fraternal relations and solidarity among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan.

Later, President Aliyev personally drove Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Shusha for a luncheon.

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In a separate development on the sidelines of the ECO summit on Friday, Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed a landmark agreement for a $2 billion Azerbaijani investment in Pakistan’s economy, marking a significant boost to bilateral ties.

The agreement was finalised in the presence of PM Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov.

The investment pact follows discussions held between PM Shehbaz and President Aliyev, and sets the stage for a more detailed memorandum of understanding, expected to be signed during President Aliyev’s upcoming visit to Pakistan.