In June 1993, Shevket was invited to Baku by the acting President Heydar Aliyev and on 7 June was appointed the Secretary of State of Azerbaijan Republic. The significance of the position varied in time, and under her, it rose to become the second after the head of state. In an interview to Azerbaijan International, she described the role as follows: "Our Secretary of State is actually more like a Vice-President.
Shevket was summoned to Baku by President Heydar Aliyev in June 1993 and on June 7 took up the post of Secretary of State of Azerbaijan Republic. The importance of her role evolved over time, but under her stewardship it became the second most prominent after the head of state. In an interview with Azerbaijan International, she stated: "Our Secretary of State is essentially akin to a Vice-President.