Pakistan and Azerbaijan intend to expand cooperation

Cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan should not be limited to the military sphere — it is also necessary to strengthen ties and interaction between the peoples of the two countries.

Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Pakistan's Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, said this to Report.

The minister, who took part in the 1st Forum of the Muslim Diaspora of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries in Ankara, noted that the participation of 48 out of 57 Muslim countries in this international event is a good indicator.

"The first international initiative implemented at Türkiye's initiative deserves high praise. Practically all Muslim countries have large diasporas, yet it seems no one has thought of such an idea until now. The next step should be closer cooperation among us. For example, if any country needs a workforce, another Muslim country can provide it with assistance and support," he said.

Salik Hussain also spoke about his meeting with Fuad Muradov, Chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora, expressing Pakistan's solidarity with Azerbaijan in all areas.

"Before this meeting, I did not imagine that there were so many areas for cooperation with Azerbaijan. We exchanged many ideas — about how our diasporas can help and support each other, as well as about ways to strengthen the presence and activities of our diasporas in other countries of the world," the minister noted.

He emphasized that Fuad Muradov invited him to visit Azerbaijan at the end of the year.

"We will be able to discuss new areas of cooperation in the diaspora sphere. In Baku, we will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation. This document will allow us to significantly expand our interaction," Salik Hussain said.

The minister also recalled that Pakistan has always supported Azerbaijan on the Karabakh issue and will continue to do so in the future, both at the regional and international levels.