Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Says Pahalgam Attack Happened Because Of Destabilisation In Kashmir

At the 16th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused India of exploiting the recent Pahalgam terror attack to destabilise regional peace. Labeling India's actions as "unprovoked and reckless hostility," Sharif claimed they were aimed at fomenting unrest in South Asia.

$2 Billion Investment Pact Sealed

In a major economic development on the summit's sidelines, Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed a $2 billion investment agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties. The deal spans multiple sectors of Pakistan's economy and was formalised after a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The agreement was signed by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijan's Minister for Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, in the presence of both heads of state. The deal marks a strategic pivot towards deeper economic cooperation between the two countries.

Sharif's Strong Condemnations

Sharif's address extended beyond South Asian concerns. He condemned ongoing violence in Gaza and denounced Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil. "Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrate barbaric acts against innocent people-whether in Gaza, Kashmir, or Iran," he said.

India's Operation Sindoor and Escalating Tensions

The April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran Valley, which left 25 Indian tourists and a local dead, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In retaliation, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', targeting nine terrorist camps across the Line of Control (LoC).

The conflict escalated with Pakistani drone strikes and Indian counter-offensives, culminating in a ceasefire request from Islamabad on May 10, following reported significant damage to its military infrastructure.

Future of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Relations

Looking ahead, a more expansive economic partnership is expected during President Aliyev's planned visit to Pakistan later this year. According to official sources, the forthcoming agreements aim to boost investment and trade to unprecedented levels.