Pakistan and Iran Unite Against ‘Spoilers’, Commit to Lasting Regional Stability

ISLAMABAD-(Mudassar Iqbal/News Desk)-Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday reaffirmed their longstanding brotherly ties and pledged to deepen cooperation across political, economic, security and regional fronts during Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian’s state visit to Islamabad.

The visit comes at a significant moment in regional diplomacy, following the recently announced Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, a development that Pakistani leaders described as a breakthrough for regional peace and stability.

Addressing a joint press stakeout after delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Pezeshkian emphasized their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and safeguarding ongoing peace efforts from forces seeking to undermine regional stability.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described his discussions with the Iranian president as highly productive and held in an atmosphere of warmth and mutual trust.

“It was like a family reunion, where brothers spoke with complete clarity and commitment to further strengthen relations between our two countries,” he said.

The prime minister noted that Pakistan and Iran had consistently stood by each other during difficult times and reaffirmed that both nations would continue to work closely for regional peace, prosperity and development.

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Highlighting the significance of the recently concluded Islamabad MoU, Prime Minister Shehbaz termed it a historic achievement that helped avert a potentially devastating conflict.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction that a war which could have engulfed the entire region and beyond has come to an end,” he said.

The premier expressed confidence that the understanding reached between Iran and the United States would eventually evolve into a comprehensive and lasting agreement following ongoing technical-level negotiations.

Addressing concerns regarding misinformation surrounding the agreement, Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly rejected reports suggesting that Iran’s ballistic missile programme was discussed during negotiations.

“Ballistic missiles were never a subject of discussion between Iran and the United States. They were neither included in the MoU nor placed on the negotiating table,” he clarified.

President Pezeshkian also categorically dismissed such reports, emphasizing that Iran’s missile programme remains a sovereign defensive capability and was not part of any discussions.

The two leaders warned against efforts aimed at creating confusion and undermining the peace process. Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that there was “no shortage of spoilers” unhappy with the diplomatic breakthrough and stressed that Pakistan and Iran would stand as an “iron wall” against attempts to derail peace initiatives.

During the delegation-level talks at the Prime Minister House, both sides discussed a wide range of issues, including trade expansion, economic cooperation, infrastructure development, regional connectivity, border management, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and emphasized the need to transform strong political relations into meaningful economic partnerships.

He expressed confidence that Iran, under President Pezeshkian’s leadership, would continue to make economic progress by utilizing its vast human and natural resources.

The prime minister also thanked the Iranian leadership for trusting Pakistan’s sincere mediation efforts and pledged that Islamabad would continue supporting dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving disputes.

Paying tribute to Iran’s resilience during recent challenges, Prime Minister Shehbaz extended condolences over the loss of innocent lives and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Iranian people.

“Your happiness is our happiness. Your sorrow is our sorrow. Iran’s success is our success and Iran’s loss is our loss,” he remarked.

President Pezeshkian, in his address, described Pakistan as much more than a neighbouring country, calling it a brotherly nation linked to Iran through deep historical, cultural and religious bonds.

The Iranian president praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace and thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, parliamentarians and the people of Pakistan for their support during recent challenging circumstances.

“Without these efforts, we would not have reached this point,” he said.

Quoting verses from Allama Muhammad Iqbal, whom he referred to as “Iqbal Lahori,” President Pezeshkian highlighted the poet-philosopher’s vision of unity among Muslim nations and stressed the importance of solidarity and cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges.

He emphasized that peace, stability and prosperity in the region could only be achieved through dialogue, mutual respect and understanding, while advocating a stronger regional security framework based on friendship and cooperation.

Earlier in the day, President Pezeshkian held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and senior Pakistani leadership.

During his meeting with President Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, both leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional peace and security, economic cooperation and connectivity initiatives.

President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for Iran’s peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, emphasizing Islamabad’s consistent support for dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional and global challenges.

He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah while maintaining strong relations with Gulf countries.

President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its positive and constructive role in promoting peace and expressed Iran’s desire to further expand cooperation in political, economic and security fields.

The Iranian president’s visit was marked by a ceremonial welcome reflecting the importance Pakistan attaches to its relationship with Tehran.

Upon entering Pakistani airspace, President Pezeshkian’s aircraft was escorted by Pakistan Air Force fighter jets in a ceremonial aerial salute. A six-aircraft formation comprising JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets accompanied the presidential aircraft, symbolizing friendship and respect for the visiting head of state.

At the Prime Minister House, President Pezeshkian was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and accorded a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan’s armed forces. He later inspected the guard of honour and planted a sapling on the premises.

In another significant event during the visit, the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) conferred an Honorary Fellowship in Cardiac Surgery upon President Pezeshkian in recognition of his contributions to public health, medical education, healthcare research and public service.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, underscoring the importance of medical and academic cooperation between the two countries.

Both Pakistan and Iran expressed optimism that the positive momentum generated by the visit would open a new chapter in bilateral relations. Leaders from both sides emphasized expanding trade, strengthening economic partnerships, enhancing regional connectivity and increasing people-to-people contacts.

As President Pezeshkian concluded his engagements in Islamabad, the warm embrace shared by the two leaders served as a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Iran and their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and prosperity.