Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian is set to arrive in Pakistan today (Saturday) for a two-day official visit — his first trip to the country since assuming office.
He is visiting at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A high-level Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, other ministers and senior officials, will accompany him.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the visit is expected to mark an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations.
The two sides will hold discussions on political, economic, and regional issues.
President Pezeshkian will meet with his Pakistani counterpart, President Asif Ali Zardari.
He will also hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Officials said the meetings will cover a wide range of topics, including trade, border cooperation, security, regional stability, and the situation in Gaza.
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The streets of Islamabad have been decorated with national flags of both countries, along with welcome banners. Security has been tightened ahead of the visit, and all preparations to receive the Iranian delegation have been completed.
‘New dimensions to relations between two countries’
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters the visit would help give a “new dimension” to relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries. He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had last visited Iran on May 26, 2025.
“This is Dr Pezeshkian’s first official visit to Pakistan. It comes at a critical time for the region. We hope it will further deepen mutual cooperation,” the spokesperson said.
Mehdi Sanai, Political Adviser to the Iranian President, said in a social media post that the visit would include meetings with cultural and business leaders in Pakistan. He emphasised that ties between the two countries cover political, economic, religious and cultural areas.
Iran and Pakistan currently have bilateral trade worth about $3 billion. Both countries are looking to increase this figure and strengthen cooperation in border provinces.
Pezeshkian is the second Iranian president to visit Pakistan in the last two years. His predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, visited Pakistan in April 2024 — one month before his death in a helicopter crash. President Pezeshkian also attended Raisi’s memorial ceremony in Tehran in May 2024, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Iranian leader’s visit to Pakistan follows months of tension in the region, including a brief conflict between Iran and Israel. Observers say the visit reflects Tehran’s renewed interest in strengthening ties with neighbouring countries amid growing international pressure and shifting alliances.
During Shehbaz Sharif’s own recent visit to Iran, both sides had agreed to enhance regional connectivity and promote trade. They also expressed concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Pakistan, which shares a long border with Iran, has repeatedly stated that it wants to play a constructive role in resolving regional disputes through diplomacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts during his meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
