Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian convened on Monday during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek to discuss regional developments, bilateral relations, and the progress of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing Pakistan-Iran relations and emphasized the importance of implementing the agreements made during Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan in June. This meeting coincides with renewed diplomatic initiatives aimed at fostering regional peace and reducing tensions, with Pakistan playing a key role in facilitating dialogue under the Islamabad MoU between Iran and the United States.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to peace efforts in the region, pointing to the recent visit of Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran. He noted that these constructive engagements were expected to yield positive outcomes. In recent weeks, Pakistan and Iran have intensified diplomatic interactions, focusing on preventing further escalation and exploring pathways for negotiated settlements.
The prime minister stressed the necessity of restraint, tolerance, and continuous diplomatic dialogue to secure lasting peace and stability. He underscored that advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad MoU remains crucial, describing sustained dialogue as the sole viable approach to achieving durable peace in the region.
The Islamabad MoU, signed in June, represents a diplomatic effort involving Pakistan, Iran, and the United States, with Pakistan continuing to facilitate discussions to implement the terms agreed upon in the framework.
President Pezeshkian acknowledged Pakistan’s persistent diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and security. He also highlighted the deep-rooted Pakistan-Iran relationship, grounded in centuries of shared history, culture, and religion. The Iranian president expressed Tehran’s interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan across multiple sectors and emphasized the importance of solidarity among Muslim nations to address current challenges.
Additionally, the two leaders reviewed initiatives to enhance regional connectivity and strengthen people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to Pezeshkian for an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time. In return, the Iranian president invited Sharif to participate in the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit scheduled for December 2026 in Tehran.
The meeting included Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials were also present.
Sharif arrived in Bishkek on Monday for a three-day visit to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit, where Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the upcoming year.
