ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a one-day official visit to Pakistan to recognise Pakistan’s mediation in the 108-day US-Iran war.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari warmly receieved the Iranian President along with his delegation at Nur Khan Air Base upon arrival. The Iranian President received a red-carpet welcome at Nur Khan Air Base, featuring a traditional 21-gun salute, a military honour guard, a marching band playing the Pakistani national anthem, and flag-waving children in traditional dress.
“President Pezeshkian said the visit aims both to express appreciation and to advance implementation of all provisions of the Memorandum in line with international law and Iran’s rights,” the Iranian government said in a statement issued on X before his departure for Islamabad.
“He added that full implementation could reduce tensions across the Middle East.”
Earlier today, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said in a statement that the Iranian President will meet his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Islamabad.
According to the Foreign Office, the visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and acknowledge Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating US-Iran mediation.
He added that the Iranian president will also hold meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the Chairman of the Senate, and the Speaker of the National Assembly.
This marks Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan as president.
Officials said both sides will hold detailed discussions on expanding cooperation in trade, energy, border security and people-to-people contacts.
The Foreign Office said the two sides will also review progress on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and exchange views on regional and international developments.
Officials added that both countries will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations during the talks.
Last week, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement to end the conflict.
He said both sides had declared the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
Following the electronic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by both sides, with Shehbaz Sharif serving as guarantor, the parties held talks in Geneva, where they reached the agreement.
The deal establishes a 60-day negotiation window to resolve key issues, including Iran’s nuclear stockpile, international sanctions, and frozen assets.
