ISLAMABAD: The Third Trilateral Meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan concluded with the adoption of the “Islamabad Declaration” to advance regional peace, security, and prosperity.
The session, chaired by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, was themed “Strengthening Fraternal Ties: Parliamentary Cooperation for Regional Peace, Security, and Prosperity.” It brought together parliamentary delegations from the three brotherly nations to discuss shared concerns and regional collaboration.
In his address at the concluding session, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed deep satisfaction with the successful deliberations, stating that the conference had strengthened the fraternal bonds among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan. He highlighted their unified commitment to fostering peace, security, and prosperity, standing in solidarity against threats to their sovereignty. Sadiq noted Türkiye and Azerbaijan’s support during Pakistan’s recent border confrontation as a reflection of shared destiny. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and Türkiye’s stance on Northern Cyprus, calling it a moral duty. Condemning the Gaza genocide and oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as “open wounds on humanity’s conscience,” he decried state terrorism and the erosion of international norms. Sadiq reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestine, welcoming the Gaza ceasefire as a step towards a Two-State Solution, while urging concrete actions to end decades of suffering.
Speaker Sadiq highlighted terrorism as a shared regional threat, noting Pakistan’s peace efforts, including its strategic agreement with Saudi Arabia, and urged the Afghan government to prevent their soil from being used for terrorism. He condemned a recent unprovoked attack by Taliban and Indian-sponsored elements, repelled by Pakistan’s forces, and called on the Taliban-led regime to ensure Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan, reciprocating Pakistan’s long-standing support for Afghans. He advocated for a unified regional response to climate change, citing Pakistan’s floods, Türkiye’s wildfires, and Azerbaijan’s water scarcity, and stressed cooperation in disaster preparedness, renewable energy, and adaptation for sustainability.
Sadiq described the Islamabad Declaration as a “blueprint for collective action,” reinforcing the three nations’ commitment to enhanced communication, coordinated crisis response, and dialogue across political, diplomatic, military, and social levels, while demanding just peace in Palestine and Kashmir per UN resolutions. He praised the Speakers of Türkiye and Azerbaijan for their principled stands on Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir, thanked delegates for their contributions, and reaffirmed Pakistan as a second home for Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Sadiq concluded the Third Trilateral Speakers’ Meeting, declaring, “Long Live Pakistan–Azerbaijan–Türkiye Brotherhood! Pakistan Zindabad!”
The Islamabad Declaration emphasised that resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, per UN Security Council Resolutions, is vital for global and regional peace, warning that altering its demographic composition would heighten tensions. It reaffirmed the deep historical, cultural, and value-based bonds among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan, pledging enhanced cooperation in political, strategic, trade, economic, defence, security, science, technology, climate, environment, and cultural domains. It identified terrorism, including proxy groups, as a global threat, urging collective strategies.The declaration endorsed adherence to international law and multilateral frameworks like the UN, OIC, ECO, D-8, and parliamentary platforms (IPU, PUIC, APA, PAECO). It called for joint climate change efforts, welcomed COP29 in Baku, and stressed climate finance for developing nations, alongside cooperation on Sustainable Development Goals, green energy, and sustainability.
It reiterated support for Palestine, demanding an end to Israeli aggression, humanitarian aid, and an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, per UN resolutions, and committed to action within the Group of Parliaments in Support of Palestine, formed in stanbul in April 2025.
The declaration expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan over landmine challenges in its liberated territories, supporting rehabilitation and the return of displaced persons. It committed to stronger trilateral defence and connectivity cooperation, including East-West and North-South Corridors, and enhanced inter-parliamentary exchanges. The next Trilateral Speakers’ Meeting was scheduled for Azerbaijan in 2026 on mutually agreed dates.
Earlier, the inaugural session of the Trilateral Speakers’ Meeting among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan opened at the National Assembly Secretariat under the chairmanship of Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq with the theme of A New Era of Parliamentary Cooperation for Regional Peace and Prosperity Among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan.
The session was attended by the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Madame Sahiba Gafarova; the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmu and their respective parliamentary delegations. The Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani also attended the event.
Later the speakers of Azerbaijan and Turkey called on President Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr. President Zardari congratulated the Speakers on the successful conclusion of the Third Trilateral Speakers’ Conference, noting that such engagements reflect growing parliamentary cooperation among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan. Mrs. Gafarova conveyed greetings from Azerbaijan’s leadership and informed the President that the first conference was held in Azerbaijan, the second in Türkiye, and the third in Pakistan. She invited Pakistani parliamentarians to Baku to explore cooperation, particularly on climate change challenges. The president emphasised Pakistan and Azerbaijan’s exemplary relations based on mutual respect and strategic understanding. He underscored the importance of connectivity initiatives like the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad (ITI) Railway Corridor and the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to enhance regional trade and linkages.
Discussing Türkiye, President Zardari highlighted strengthening ties in political, economic, defence, and security spheres, appreciating Türkiye’s support, including for Pakistan’s UN Human Rights Council candidature for 2026–2028. He urged greater efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment, noting untapped potential, and welcomed Türkiye’s interest in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones, announcing one would be named the President Recep Tayyip Erdo an Special Industrial Zone to honour their friendship. President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating with Türkiye and Azerbaijan for regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Türkiye’s Ambassador Irfan Neziro lu, and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also attended the meeting.