PM Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Reaffirm Close and Longstanding Ties

BISHKEK, August 31: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian have reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations across all areas of mutual cooperation.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

They stressed the importance of implementing the decisions reached during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan in June this year. The two leaders also reviewed ongoing efforts to promote regional connectivity and enhance people-to-people contacts.

The latest developments in the regional situation also came under discussion. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continuing sincere efforts for peace in the region and said that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s recent visit to Tehran and his constructive engagements were expected to yield positive results.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of restraint, tolerance and sustained diplomatic engagement for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. He also underscored the need to build upon the understanding reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, describing it as the only viable way forward for durable regional peace.

President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s continued diplomatic efforts for regional peace and security. He highlighted the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, saying that the ties between the two countries were rooted in centuries-old shared history, culture and religion.

The Iranian President expressed Tehran’s strong desire to further expand cooperation with Pakistan in various fields and emphasized the importance of promoting unity and solidarity among the Muslim Ummah to address contemporary challenges.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited President Pezeshkian to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The Iranian President, in turn, invited the Prime Minister to attend the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit to be held in Tehran in December 2026.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.