Islamabad, June 23, 2026: Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a high-profile official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing ongoing regional peace initiatives following the recent United States-Iran ceasefire agreement brokered under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
President Pezeshkian’s visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, comes at a critical moment in regional diplomacy, with Pakistan emerging as a key facilitator in efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after months of conflict between Iran and the United States.
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to regional peace
Addressing delegation-level talks at the Prime Minister’s House, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed the Iranian President and described his visit as a source of “great happiness and satisfaction” for the people and government of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said President Pezeshkian’s acceptance of the invitation following the signing of the Islamabad MoU reflected the deep trust between the two brotherly nations and marked a significant step toward lasting peace in the region.
Expressing condolences over the loss of innocent Iranian lives during the recent conflict, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the resilience of the Iranian people and the leadership shown by President Pezeshkian during a challenging period.
“Under your calm, visionary and sagacious leadership, we are today able to look toward a brighter future,” the Prime Minister said, adding that Pakistan remained committed to supporting all efforts aimed at ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a constructive role in diplomatic engagements, stressing that true brotherhood is demonstrated through unwavering support during difficult times.
Tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir’s diplomatic role
Prime Minister Shehbaz also highlighted the contribution of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in facilitating diplomatic efforts that led to the ceasefire and the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The Prime Minister noted that Field Marshal Munir worked tirelessly alongside the civilian leadership during the crisis to prevent a wider regional war that could have destabilized the Middle East and beyond.
“He worked through difficult days and nights with a singular mission—to do everything humanly possible to stop a conflict that threatened regional and global stability,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Guard of honour and high-level engagements
President Pezeshkian was accorded a guard of honour upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House, where he held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz before delegation-level talks commenced.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araghchi, who recently participated in direct US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland, accompanied President Pezeshkian during the visit.
Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq were also scheduled to meet the Iranian President during his stay in Islamabad.
President Zardari reiterates support for Iran
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari received President Pezeshkian at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where both leaders held extensive discussions on bilateral relations, regional peace, connectivity, economic cooperation and security issues.
President Zardari described the visit as a reflection of the longstanding brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Iran and emphasized Pakistan’s consistent support for dialogue and diplomacy in resolving regional and international disputes.
He congratulated the Iranian leadership on the signing of the Islamabad MoU and expressed hope that ongoing technical-level negotiations would pave the way for permanent peace in the region.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability, President Zardari also underscored Islamabad’s commitment to preserving unity within the Muslim Ummah while maintaining strong relations with Gulf countries.
President Pezeshkian, in turn, appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in supporting peace initiatives and thanked Islamabad for its diplomatic engagement during recent regional tensions. He emphasized Iran’s desire to further expand cooperation with Pakistan in political, economic, security and regional matters.
Pakistan-Iran military leadership discuss regional stability
In a separate meeting, President Pezeshkian held talks with Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, focusing on regional developments and ongoing peace initiatives.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Iranian President appreciated Pakistan’s responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation and regional stability at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges.
Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and emphasized the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to address regional disputes.
Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and maintain close consultations on issues of mutual interest with the shared objective of promoting peace, prosperity and stability across the region.
Grand reception at Nur Khan airbase
President Pezeshkian arrived at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase earlier in the day, where he was received by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam.
The Iranian President was accorded a ceremonial 21-gun salute, while Pakistan Air Force fighter jets conducted a flypast in his honour.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had arrived earlier from Oman, was also present to receive the Iranian President.
Focus on trade, connectivity and regional cooperation
The Foreign Office described President Pezeshkian’s visit as an important opportunity for both countries to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, border management, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity.
The visit also provides a platform for discussions on diplomatic developments following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and broader regional and international issues of mutual concern.
According to the Foreign Office, the visit reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran to deepen their historic ties and work together for peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
Security measures across Islamabad
Given the significance of the visit, extraordinary security arrangements were implemented across the federal capital.
The Islamabad High Court and Federal Constitutional Court suspended judicial proceedings for the day, while several ministries and government offices located within the Red Zone adopted a work-from-home policy.
Authorities also sealed the Red Zone, restricted public access to key government areas, and temporarily closed major hiking trails in Islamabad, including Trails 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Additionally, bus terminals at Faizabad and Chongi No. 26 were shut down as part of heightened security measures until the departure of the Iranian President.
Visit follows landmark US-Iran talks in Switzerland
President Pezeshkian’s visit comes days after direct US-Iran negotiations, known as the “Lake Lucerne Summit,” held in Switzerland under the framework established by the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18.
The talks, facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar, brought together senior representatives from Washington and Tehran and established a roadmap for further technical negotiations aimed at ending hostilities, ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and advancing broader regional stability.
Pakistan’s delegation at the summit was led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, underscoring Islamabad’s growing diplomatic role in regional conflict resolution.
Diplomatic sources describe President Pezeshkian’s visit as a significant endorsement of Pakistan’s mediation efforts and a major step toward strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations at a time when regional peace and stability remain a shared priority for both nations.
