ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday reiterated its commitment to sincere diplomatic efforts for regional peace and stability while underscoring the need to build on the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to permanently end the conflict between the US and Iran.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with the Iranian President of Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of States (CHS) meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, said a statement issued by the PM Office’s media wing.
The premier highlighted the constructive role played by the recent visit of the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, to Tehran.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets the President of Iran H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Council of Heads of State Conference, on 31 August 2026. pic.twitter.com/jmks7CTc2D
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 31, 2026
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region, according to the statement.
He said the Islamabad MoU offered the only viable pathway towards enduring peace in the region.
Meeting between the Prime Minister and the President of Iran on the sidelines of SCO CHS Meeting in Bishkek.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the President of Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian today, on the sidelines of SCO Council of… pic.twitter.com/liQazEaA1R
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 31, 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his remarks, praised Islamabad’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote peace and security in the region, while reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
He highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Iran, describing the ties as being built on centuries of shared history, culture and faith. He expressed Iran’s readiness to further expand cooperation with Pakistan across diverse areas of mutual interest.
براہِ راست:بشکیک۔وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی ایران کے صدر مسعود پزشکیان سے ملاقات https://t.co/afipm3dpZJ
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 31, 2026
The Iranian president also called for greater unity among the Muslim Ummah to address the complex challenges confronting the Islamic world.
The two leaders discussed measures to enhance regional connectivity and expand people-to-people exchanges, emphasising the importance of closer cooperation in promoting stronger links between the two countries and the wider region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited President Pezeshkian to pay an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.
Pakistan PM arrives in Bishkek
The meeting took place shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Bishkek for a three-day official visit, which will continue until September 2 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov.
Prime Minister Shehbaz is leading Pakistan’s delegation to the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting. During his visit, he is also scheduled to participate in the SCO Plus Summit.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz will address the SCO summit and present Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and international issues.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف تین روزہ دورے پر کرغزستان کے دارالحکومت بشکیک پہنچ گئے، جہاں وہ شنگھائی تعاون تنظیم (SCO) کے سربراہی اجلاس میں شرکت کریں گے۔ بشکیک پہنچنے پر کرغزستان کی کابینہ کے چیئرمین عادلبیک قاسمالییف (Adylbek Kasymaliev) نے وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا استقبال کیا۔… pic.twitter.com/0VEdKGZ6u3
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 31, 2026
Pakistan is also set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026-27 period, with Islamabad expected to host the council’s next meeting.
The SCO today comprises China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus.
Collectively, the bloc represents around 40 per cent of the world’s population and accounts for a substantial share of global economic output, making it one of the largest regional organisations by geographic coverage and population.
For Pakistan, membership provides access to emerging markets across Central Asia and Eurasia, and strengthens dialogue with major regional economies.
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Islamabad has consistently advocated greater regional integration through infrastructure development, customs cooperation and simplified trade procedures.
Field Marshal’s Iran Visit
It is pertinent to mention that last week Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Iran as part of Islamabad’s continuing diplomatic efforts to facilitate an end to the US-Iran conflict and renewed efforts towards reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
During the visit, Field Marshal held meetings with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, Representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader on the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
The discussions focused on regional peace, de-escalation and efforts towards a negotiated settlement of the US-Iran conflict.
The South Asian nation has emerged as a key mediator between Tehran and Washington in efforts to end the conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Islamabad brokered a two-week ceasefire between the two sides on April 8, temporarily halting six weeks of intense fighting. Since then, the country has continued to facilitate communication by relaying messages between Washington and Tehran in a bid to support diplomatic efforts and prevent further escalation.
