ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a one-day official visit, receiving a red-carpet welcome from Pakistan’s top leadership following Islamabad-mediated talks between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland.
The Iranian president arrived aboard a special Mirage Airlines aircraft, identified as Minab 168. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and senior government officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also accompanied the visiting delegation.
This marks Pezeshkian’s first foreign visit since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, and comes a day after Pakistan and Qatar announced that the opening round of high-level US-Iran talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, had produced a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days.
According to the Iranian president’s office, one of the key objectives of the visit is to convey Tehran’s appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States.
The Foreign Office said President Pezeshkian is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers and senior officials.
During the visit, the Iranian president is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The two sides are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore ways to expand cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity.
The Foreign Office said the visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss follow-up on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding and exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
It added that the visit reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran to further strengthen their longstanding ties and promote peace, stability and sustainable development across the region.
This is President Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan since assuming office.
The visit follows encouraging progress in the first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, where mediators Pakistan and Qatar announced that both sides had agreed on a roadmap towards a final agreement within 60 days. Technical-level negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days.
The joint statement also said the parties agreed on a mechanism aimed at ending hostilities in Lebanon and established a communication channel to help ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Vice President JD Vance described the initial round of talks as a positive foundation for reaching a broader agreement to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the diplomatic progress, commending the leadership of both the United States and Iran for their commitment to constructive engagement. He also thanked Qatar for its role in facilitating the negotiations and expressed appreciation to the Swiss government for hosting the talks.