PM felicitates President Aliyev on Azerbaijan-Armenia peace accord

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Sunday received a telephone call from President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The prime minister offered his warm felicitations to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on the historic peace agreement that was recently concluded between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

During their warm and cordial telephone conversation, the prime minister lauded the visionary role of President Ilham Aliyev in bringing the three decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia to a peaceful and mutually beneficial end especially as it would usher in a new era of prosperity for the Caucuses.

The prime minister particularly appreciated the role played by US President Donald Trump in facilitating this historic deal that would now bring peace and prosperity to the region. The prime minister also mentioned the positive role of President Trump in ending the recent Indo-Pak war and appreciated President Trump as a peace maker across the globe.

President Aliyev expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s longstanding and consistent support to Azerbaijan on the Karabakh issue.

The prime minister responded that it has always been a matter of duty for the people of Pakistan to extend their support to their Azerbaijani brothers and sisters on this core issue and it was heartening to note that, under President Aliyev’s bold leadership and statesmanship, peace had finally been established in this region.

While thanking the prime minister, President Aliyev said that peaceful development in the region would create new opportunities for enhanced connectivity between Pakistan and Central Asia.

The two leaders also expressed their satisfaction on the positive trajectory of their bilateral cooperation. While recalling their recent interactions in Lachin and Khankendi, the prime minister reiterated his invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan soon. Both leaders are also expected to meet in Tianjin on the margins of the upcoming SCO Summit.

In a post on X, the prime minister said, “Spoke with my dear brother President Ilham Aliyev this evening.”

“I conveyed warm felicitations to him and the people of Azerbaijan on the historic Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement, reached in Washington DC. I lauded him for his vision and statesmanship, and deeply appreciated President Donald Trump, who played the role of peace maker in facilitating this landmark agreement,” he added.

He said, “We also reviewed the trajectory of bilateral relations especially trade and investment and reaffirmed our commitment to continue with this positive momentum. We look forward to continuing our high level engagements in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met with Ikram Ullah, a student from 2022 flood-hit area of Balochistan, and expressed his pleasure at his educational strides owing to his hard work.

During the meeting, broadcast on national TV channels, the prime minister recollected his first meeting with Ikram Ullah, whose school was damaged during the 2022 floods in Qilla Saifullah that inundated large swathes of Balochistan.

He said during his visit to flood-affected area, Ikram Ullah had told him that they used to travel a long way to reach their school.

The prime minister said that it was satisfying that Ikram Ullah had been making progress in pursuit of his studies and appreciated his teachers and parents for supporting him.

Speaking on the occasion, Ikram Ullah expressed his gratitude to the prime minister for supporting him with a scholarship and bearing his educational expenditures. He said that he owed much to the prime minister who had supported a student from the backward area of Balochistan.

The prime minister encouraged him to continue his studies with hard work and dedication.

Ikram Ullah also expressed the resolve to work and serve the nation and the country in future and showed his eagerness to appear in the CSS exams. He said the nation needed a leader like the prime minister who is committed to uplift the country.

The prime minister also gave away a gift to Ikram Ullah.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz paid tribute to Dr Ruth Pfau on her death anniversary, saying that she had spent each moment of her life to serve the poor and deprived segments of society in Pakistan.

He said Dr Pfau had set an example of passion for sacrifice, utmost compassion and helping the humanity which would always be remembered.

“Dr Ruth Pfau’s untiring contributions towards treatment of leprosy patients and ensuring them a respected place in the society are the glowing chapter in our national history,” PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime minister as saying.

He further said the nation would always remember her services with pride, adding Dr Pfau’s mission carried the message of humanity, kindness and serving people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the government of Pakistan guided by high religious and constitutional values was committed to the full inclusion of minorities in government institutions, parliament and the national mainstream.

In a message on National Minorities Day observed on August 11, he said, “Today, the entire nation, including me, is celebrating National Minorities Day to protect the rights of minorities and appreciate their key role in the country’s development and progress.”

He said, “Today, we renew our pledge to always strive for religious freedom and equal rights of minorities in the light of the teachings of the founder of Pakistan and Islamic teachings.”

“The historic speech of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 11, 1947, is an ideological guarantee for the secure future of minorities in Pakistan,” he remarked, adding, “The welfare and well-being of all minorities in Pakistan, be they Sikhs, Christians, Hindus, Parsis, is one of the priority duties of the government of Pakistan.”

“Pakistan considers the unforgettable services rendered by minorities in every walk of life as its national asset. Many Pakistani sons belonging to minorities have bravely sacrificed their lives in the defence of the country. We pay tribute to them from the bottom of our hearts,” he said adding, “Pakistan is proud of its minorities’ patriotism, professional hard work and attachment to national heritage and culture.”

The prime minister said, “It is a matter of satisfaction that minorities in Pakistan enjoy all political, economic and social rights under the Constitution of Pakistan.”

“Protection of the rights of minorities is not only a constitutional obligation but also our religious duty. Because Islam specifically advocates the protection of civil, religious and social rights of minorities. Ulema and religious leaders play a key role in protecting religious freedom, ensuring the honour and dignity of places of worship and minority representatives,” he noted.

“All Pakistanis, including minorities, need to realize their national responsibilities by practicing unity and solidarity, mutual respect and tolerance. Today, all Pakistanis and the Government of Pakistan, regardless of colour and race, reaffirm their resolve to fulfil their national duties in a unified manner,” he concluded.