In meeting with Iran's president, PM stresses building on Islamabad MoU for lasting peace

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan on Monday reiterated the importance of implementing the understandings reached under the Islamabad MoU, calling it the only viable route to lasting peace in the region. In a meeting with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, Sharif highlighted the need for restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve stability.

The Islamabad MoU, a 14-point interim agreement reached on June 18 between the United States and Iran, aims to halt the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. During the bilateral discussion, Sharif and Pezeshkian reaffirmed the strong and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran, stressing the need to further strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual cooperation. This aligns with the decisions taken during Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan in June this year.

The leaders also reviewed ongoing efforts to enhance regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts. They exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to sincere efforts for regional peacebuilding. The Prime Minister noted that recent engagements, including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran, were positive steps toward this goal.

President Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for regional peace and security, underscoring the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, which are rooted in centuries of shared history, culture, and faith. He called for unity among the Ummah to address contemporary challenges.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to President Pezeshkian to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. In return, Pezeshkian invited Sharif to the forthcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit in Tehran scheduled for December 2026.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and other senior officials.

#PakistanIranRelations #SCOCHS2026 #IslamabadMoU #RegionalPeace #ShehbazSharif #MasoudPezeshkian #ECOsummit