DNA

BISHKEK, 31 Aug – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a cordial meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, today on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of States (CHS) meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

The high-level delegation from Pakistan included Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch. The Iranian side was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials.

During the talks, both leaders reaffirmed the deep-rooted and longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran, and underscored the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. They reviewed progress on decisions taken during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan in June 2026 and discussed ways to enhance regional connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the evolving regional security landscape. Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to sincere efforts for regional peace and stability, and highlighted the constructive role played by the recent visit of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran.

Emphasizing the need for restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement, the Prime Minister stressed that the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) offered the only viable pathway toward enduring peace in the region.

President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s consistent diplomatic efforts for regional security and reaffirmed the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, rooted in centuries of shared history, culture, and faith. He also stressed the importance of unity among the Ummah to address contemporary challenges, and expressed Tehran’s strong desire to deepen cooperation with Islamabad across a wide range of sectors.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to President Pezeshkian for an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The Iranian President, in turn, invited the Prime Minister to attend the upcoming ECO Summit scheduled for December 2026 in Tehran.