- President Pezeshkian praises Pakistan’s role in the Iran-US dialogue.
- Leaders discuss regional peace, security, connectivity issues.
- CDF Munir meets Pezeshkian on regional stability talks: ISPR.
In a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s constructive contribution to the Iran-US dialogue and reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and regional peace.
President Pezeshkian landed in Islamabad earlier today on a day-long visit following Islamabad-brokered talks between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland.
The trip – Pezeshkian’s first foreign visit since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 – comes a day after Pakistan and Qatar announced that the opening round of high-level talks between the US and Iran in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, had produced a 60-day roadmap towards a final deal.
The Iranian president arrived on a special plane operated by Mirage Airlines, identified as Minab 168 – a symbolic tribute to the 168 children who were martyred in an attack on their school by the US and Israel in Iran’s Minab city.
With a red carpet welcome with a guard of honour, the Iranian president was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and other top leadership while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was also present.
This is Dr. Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan in his capacity as President of Iran.
During his meeting with President Zardari, Pezeshkian discussed bilateral relations, mainly regional peace and security, bilateral and regional relations, economic cooperation and other issues of common interest, the presidency said in a statement.
The Iranian president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Chief of the Presidential Office Mohsen Haji Mirzaei, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Chief of Political Affairs in the Presidential Office Saeed Abbas Mousavi and Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam.
From the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and former Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Senate Chief Whip Senator Saleem Mandviwala and Dr. Asim Hussain present during the meeting.
President Zardari welcomed President Pezeshkian on his first state visit to Pakistan after the latest conflict, noting that the visit reflects the long-standing brotherly ties between the two countries and a desire to stay together in good times and bad.
He congratulated President Pezeshkian on the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and expressed hope that the ongoing negotiations at the technical level will culminate in permanent peace in the region.
The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for Iran’s peace, stability, national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He stated that Pakistan has consistently opposed unilateral initiatives and has supported dialogue and diplomacy as means of achieving a durable and sustainable solution to regional and global challenges.
He also emphasized Islamabad’s commitment to maintaining the unity of the Muslim ummah while maintaining strong fraternal ties with the countries of the Gulf region.
President Zardari once again condoled the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei and said Pakistan would attend his funeral.
Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its positive and constructive efforts in support of peace and dialogue and appreciated the support provided by Pakistan in the recent challenging circumstances.
He said Iran attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and looks forward to further expanding cooperation in political, economic, security and regional affairs.
President Zardari asked President Pezeshkian to extend his warm greetings to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei.
CDF Munir calls on President Pezeshkian
Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir called on Iranian President Pezeshkian where views on regional development and peace initiatives were exchanged, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The Iranian President appreciated Pakistan’s constructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation and regional stability.
He acknowledged Islamabad’s consistent efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of disputes and promote understanding among regional stakeholders at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges.
Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations and maintain close consultations on matters of mutual interest with the common goal of promoting peace, prosperity and stability in the entire region.
