On the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Peshkeshian, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Iran.
Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, and several federal ministers were also present during the discussions. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of increasing political and economic cooperation, noting that the ties between Pakistan and Iran are based on shared history, culture, and faith. Expressing solidarity with the Iranian people, Shehbaz said, “Pakistan is committed to peace and stability in the region. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward to reduce tensions and achieve lasting stability.” Both leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the direction of their relations.
President Peshkeshian appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding support and pledged to strengthen cooperation across various sectors. He also extended his condolences for the loss of lives and property caused by recent floods in Pakistan, assuring that Iran stands with Pakistan in this difficult time.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Tianjin has garnered significant attention. He was warmly welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan, a gesture that highlights the close partnership between Pakistan and China. During the summit, Shehbaz also held meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Additionally, he had informal interactions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Officials noted that the warm reception from these world leaders reflects Pakistan’s robust bilateral ties within the SCO framework and beyond.
