KEY POINTS
- PM Shehbaz Sharif receives Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at Islamabad’s airport.
- Pezeshkian aims to boost bilateral trade with Pakistan to $10 billion and explore cooperation under CPEC.
- He met Nawaz Sharif and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, and visited Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum.
- Talks were held between foreign ministers to deepen collaboration in trade, security, and regional stability.
ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening trade, economic ties, and regional cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. During his visit, President Pezeshkian will hold bilateral talks with the Pakistani leadership.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar received the Iranian President and his delegation at the Nur Khan airbase in Islamabad.
Taking to his X handle, the premier said: “Honored to welcome my brother, H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran on his official visit to Pakistan.”
“We look forward to our substantive engagements during this important visit that will pave the way forward for stronger Pakistan-Iran ties,” he added.
Honored to welcome my brother, H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran on his official visit to Pakistan.
We look forward to our substantive engagements during this important visit that will pave the way forward for stronger Pakistan-Iran ties. pic.twitter.com/Lt3Vd5yrWG— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 2, 2025
The Iranian President was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, senior ministers and other high-ranking officials.
Dr Pezeshkian will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and also hold delegation-level talks with the Pakistani Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers.
A 21-gun salute was accorded in honour of the Iranian President on his arrival, and two children dressed in traditional attire presented bouquets to him.
The Foreign Office in a statement said, “This marks Dr Pezeshkian’s first official visit to Pakistan as President of Iran.”
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last visited Iran on May 26, 2025.
The visit is expected to further strengthen the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran.
Nawaz, Pezeshkian discuss regional security
Earlier, on his arrival, the Iranian Pezeshkian was received by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore.
Both leaders held a meeting and discussed issues relating to bilateral relations and the regional security situation, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
Later, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian visited the mausoleum of Pakistan’s national poet Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.
He laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum and offered fateha.
On this occasion, the Khateeb of the historic Badshahi Mosque Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad offered special prayers for unity of Muslim Ummah.
The President recorded his impressions of Allama Iqbal’s literary legacy in the visitors’ book.
$10 billion bilateral trade volume
Speaking to reporters in Tehran ahead of his departure, Pezeshkian said the purpose of the visit was to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.
“The objective of this trip is to boost commercial and economic ties,” he stated. The Iranian president added that matters related to border security and regional peace would also be discussed during the visit.
“We believe that cross-border markets and connectivity can open new avenues for mutual cooperation,” he remarked.
President Pezeshkian further expressed hope that bilateral trade volume could be raised to $10 billion.
He also highlighted Iran’s interest in active participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“The BRI project offers Iran an opportunity to connect with Europe,” he noted, adding: “Attempts to undermine the Islamic unity between Pakistan and Iran will fail.”
According to the Political Adviser to the Iranian President, Mehdi Sanai, official meetings and discussions with “cultural and business elites” were planned during the president’s visit.
“The relations between the two countries encompass political, economic, religious, and cultural dimensions,” he had said in a X post on July 30.
The development of provincial and border cooperation, as well as increasing trade from the current $3 billion, are among the objectives of the visit, the adviser concluded.
Pakistan, Iran reaffirm commitment to bolster ties
Later in the evening, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and discussed matters of bilateral interest.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties, with a focus on expanding cooperation in regional stability, trade, and economic collaboration.
They also discussed enhancing bilateral engagement across key areas of mutual interest.
