PM Shehbaz Sharif Completes Azerbaijan Visit, Returns to Lahore After Taking Longer Route Avoiding Afghan Airspace

Lahore: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has completed his two-day visit to Azerbaijan and returned to Lahore after bypassing Afghanistan’s airspace during both his onward and return journeys.

The Prime Minister, traveling aboard a special aircraft, reached Lahore late at night. According to reports, his flight took an unconventional route as he avoided Afghanistan’s airspace while flying to and from Azerbaijan.

On his way to Azerbaijan, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s special flight departed from Islamabad, flying over the airspace of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, before reaching Baku. On Friday, the Prime Minister traveled from Baku to Fuzuli in Azerbaijan, and later, on the return journey, he once again bypassed Afghanistan’s airspace.

As a result, the aircraft had to take a longer flight path to return to Pakistan, which extended the duration of the journey. The decision to avoid Afghanistan’s airspace has sparked some attention, given that it required a longer and more complex route for the return leg of the trip.

This strategic move reflects Pakistan’s cautious approach to airspace issues, amidst ongoing regional dynamics.