President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday emphasized the need to strengthen trilateral economic cooperation among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan to foster regional connectivity, trade, and prosperity.
He made these remarks at Aiwan-e-Sadr during a meeting with Dr. Numan Kurtulmus, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, and Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan. Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was also present, according to a news release from the Presidency.
The president congratulated the visiting dignitaries on the successful conclusion of the Third Trilateral Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad, describing it as a reflection of the growing strength of parliamentary cooperation among the three nations.
Welcoming the guests, President Zardari said Pakistan deeply values its close and brotherly relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan, which are rooted in shared faith, mutual trust, and a collective vision for regional peace and progress.
He highlighted the potential for expanding trilateral trade and investment, calling for greater collaboration in key economic sectors. The president particularly underscored the importance of enhancing regional connectivity through initiatives such as the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad (ITI) Railway Corridor and the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which, he said, could serve as vital conduits for trade and economic integration.
President Zardari appreciated Türkiye’s growing engagement with Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones and announced that one of the upcoming zones would be named the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Special Industrial Zone, in recognition of the strong bilateral ties.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing strategic cooperation with Azerbaijan, lauding the exemplary relationship based on mutual respect and shared aspirations for regional stability.
Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, conveyed greetings from the Azerbaijani leadership and invited Pakistani parliamentarians to visit Baku to explore avenues of cooperation, particularly in tackling climate challenges.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to work closely with Türkiye and Azerbaijan to promote peace, stability, and inclusive development in the region.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Turkish Ambassador Irfan Neziroglu, and Azerbaijani Ambassador Khazar Farhadov also attended the meeting.
