By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: In a powerful display of regional solidarity and shared commitment to stability, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan hosted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for a historic one-day official visit to Islamabad, culminating in a significant joint press briefing where both leaders characterized the meeting as a “family reunion” and a turning point in brotherly relations.
براہِ راست:وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اور ایرانی صدر ڈاکٹر مسعود پزشکیان کی گفتگو https://t.co/IHVSg1oshr
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 23, 2026
President Pezeshkian’s visit, undertaken at PM Shehbaz’s warm invitation, follows the recent groundbreaking Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States and Iran, marking a pivotal moment for the region. The high-stakes visit began with a warm welcome at the Prime Minister House, featuring a guard of honour and a resonant fighter jet flypast. The two leaders then engaged in a private bilateral meeting, immediately followed by productive, delegation-level talks.
Addressing the media in a joint press conference, a visibly pleased Prime Minister Shehbaz said, “I held very productive discussions in a very cordial atmosphere with my dear brother, President Pezeshkian. It was indeed like a family reunion, and brothers were talking to each other with the fullest clarity and total commitment that we will do everything to strengthen our brotherly relations like never before.”
PM Shehbaz highlighted the historical steadfastness of the Islamabad-Tehran relationship, asserting, “Islamabad and Tehran have consistently stood by one another in difficult times, and recent events have once again demonstrated beyond any ray of doubt the enduring strength of this brotherhood, this friendship, and this partnership.” In a touching moment, the Premier commenced his remarks by eloquently reciting an Iranian couplet emphasizing true friendship during challenging times, illustrating the deep cultural and emotional bonds underpinning the relationship.
Prime Minister Shehbaz described President Pezeshkian as a “visionary and sagacious leader of a great country, Iran,” praising his character, “But you are a man of many talents and qualities — you are calm, you are wise, and you are patient.” He warmly recalled Pezeshkian’s distinguished background in medical care, congratulating him on the “very well-deserved conferment” and termed today’s summit a “historic moment between Pakistan and Iran.”
Acknowledging the significant breakthrough of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed just last week between the US and Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz stated it was a “matter of great happiness that this war has come to an end, which could have engulfed the entire region and beyond.” He lauded the “sagacious” leadership of President Pezeshkian and his colleagues for embracing peace, while reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering role as an “honest and sincere mediator” throughout the crucial US-Iran peace process.
Further cementing this bond, PM Shehbaz announced a forthcoming visit to Tehran next week to pay personal respects to the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and to directly “reaffirm and reassure Pakistan’s solidarity with our brotherly people of Iran.” He concluded his address with a resonant declaration, “Zindabad dosti Pakistan o Iran.”
Recalling the pivotal technical talks held recently in Switzerland under the US-Iran technical talks framework, the Prime Minister added, “My dear brother, we pray to Allah Almighty that God-willing, this arrangement will usher in a new era of peace, stability, and prosperity for this entire region.”
He expressed profound appreciation for the “wisdom and sagacity” of Iran’s current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, for skillfully guiding the Iranian nation through “these very difficult and challenging times.” PM Shehbaz observed, “Throughout this crisis, the entire Iranian nation, our Iranian brothers and sisters, have demonstrated their unity with honour and dignity,” describing their collective courage as truly “awe-inspiring.”
Extending Pakistan’s deepest and sincere condolences on the “loss of thousands of precious lives, including the late Khamenei, who was a great visionary leader and respected by all and sundry around the Muslim world,” the Premier affirmed that the people of Pakistan share Iran’s profound grief, standing in “complete solidarity with the people of Iran.”
“Your happiness is our happiness. Your sorrow is our sorrow,” Prime Minister Shehbaz remarked movingly. “Iran’s success is our success. Iran’s loss is our loss,” he added, incorporating another meaningful Persian phrase in his speech, which he said “reflects deeply the feeling of the people of Pakistan.” He emphasized that the two nations are “far more than just neighbours,” intrinsically bound together by shared history, faith, and culture.
The Premier extended his nation’s deep gratitude to the Iranian leadership for their “abiding trust in Pakistan to initiate and mediate this peace process.” “We have done this act of mediation with fullest honesty of purpose and complete sincerity,” he declared, commending both Iranian and US delegations for their “serious and constructive participation” in the landmark Lake Lucerne Summit held in Switzerland.
Acknowledging the significant “support and encouragement of many brotherly and friendly countries,” PM Shehbaz offered specific thanks for the Qatari Emir’s “pivotal role” and the “steadfast support and encouragement” of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
In a key highlight, the Prime Minister singled out and hailed the “untiring efforts [and] unwavering commitment” of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir. “Even during the dark days, he never wavered and, as a result, was instrumental in helping build the consensus that made this historic breakthrough possible by the grace of God,” he emphasized with conviction.
The Premier also warmly praised the “dedicated efforts” of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his entire team at the Foreign Office (FO), alongside acknowledging the “valuable contributions” of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
President Pezeshkian began his much-anticipated address by reciting verses by Pakistan’s renowned national poet, Allama Iqbal, which he noted continued to profoundly inspire unity among Muslim nations. He echoed PM Shehbaz’s sentiments, stating that the two nations “do not merely live next to each other, but they share a common destiny in the majority of their aspirations, concerns and hopes.”
“Pakistan for us is not merely a neighbouring country; it’s a brotherly and friendly country and has been an amicable companion and has had deep historical, cultural, religious and popular bonds between the two nations and these bonds have brought our nations closer,” President Pezeshkian highlighted significantly.
Noting that relations between Islamabad and Tehran have always been firmly consolidated on the powerful basis of mutual respect, goodwill, and historical trust, Pezeshkian declared that “recent developments have once again showcased the consolidation of this valuable asset.”
He stated emphatically: “In a critical historical juncture that the region is facing a multitude of challenges, the responsible and visionary role played by Pakistan in supporting the discussions and negotiations in de-escalating and strengthening the regional stability is a manifestation of a brotherly and futuristic attitude and viewpoint by this country towards the developments in the region.”
President Pezeshkian observed that Iran’s ready acceptance of Pakistan’s constructive initiative was a direct “reflection of the ancient and age-old trust that the Iranian nation has towards the nation, the government and the authorities of Pakistan.”
During the earlier, key delegation-level meeting, PM Shehbaz addressed the Iranian President and his accompanying high-level delegation, stating it was a “great pleasure once again to welcome you to Pakistan.” He noted that Pezeshkian’s acceptance of his invitation so soon after the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was a “matter of great happiness and satisfaction for all of us.”
The Premier formally requested President Pezeshkian to convey his warmest regards to Iran’s current Supreme Leader for his “sagacious leadership that Iran has been able to achieve this MoU and as a result, a ceasefire with dignity and honour.”
He also extended his “deepest condolences on the killings of innocent Iranian brothers and sisters, children, which run into thousands of people,” highlighting the immense tragedy preceding this moment of peace.
PM Shehbaz said with conviction: “Yet, under your sagacious and very calm, visionary leadership, today, thanks to God, we are sitting here to peep into a very bright future, and I am very grateful to you and the Iranian leadership for having abiding trust in Pakistan’s ability to mediate with honesty and sincerity.”
“I want to assure you that as brothers, we will never let you down,” he affirmed passionately. “As they say, true brotherhood doesn’t have any questions to answer. And here we are.”
The Prime Minister further robustly assured the Iranian leader that Pakistan will “carry on this important role until we have everlasting peace in place, on terms and conditions which are dictated by dignity and honour.” He also hailed the profound courage of the Iranian people throughout the preceding conflict.
Re-emphasizing the crucial role and “outstanding contribution” of CDF Munir, he remarked: “He has toiled and worked untiringly through the nights, through those dark days with one mission: come what may, we will do everything humanly possible to stop this war, which can burn vast swathes of land and devastate everything.”
The Premier also appreciated the tireless efforts of Dar and Naqvi for their successful “fine shuttle diplomacy,” and noted that “brother Abbas Araghchi has played a pivotal role” in the process.
Earlier, the Iranian President was welcomed at the Prime Minister’s House with full military honors, preceding their meeting and the delegation-level talks. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was critically present at the preceding direct talks held between the United States and Iran in Switzerland over the past weekend, is also accompanying President Pezeshkian during this visit.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed that CDF and COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar were in attendance during the high-level meetings. The statement added that comprehensive delegation-level talks would subsequently take place.
It is noteworthy that Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq were also expected to call on the Iranian President, according to official Foreign Office (FO) sources. Iran’s state media IRNA reported that Foreign Minister Araghchi held crucial talks with President Zardari and PM Shehbaz “only hours” before President Pezeshkian landed in Pakistan, underscoring the intense, coordinated diplomatic push surrounding the visit.
This momentous summit not only reinforces the deep-seated brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran but also positions Pakistan as a key diplomatic player and mediator for peace in the broader Middle East region, leveraging its unique relationships to foster stability and cooperation in a historically volatile area. The focus will now shift to implementing the economic and connectivity agreements and continuing the critical technical talks towards permanent regional peace.
