Shehbaz, Pezeshkian exchange views on regional situation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and stressed the need for restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to promote lasting peace and stability in the region.

A statement on the official X account of Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that the two leaders held a “warm and cordial” meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where they discussed bilateral ties, regional connectivity and the evolving regional situation.

Sharif said Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts for regional peace building, while noting that the recent visit of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Asim Munir to Tehran and his “constructive engagements augured well”.

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He underscored the importance of building on the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran on June 18, saying the agreement “offered the only viable pathway towards enduring peace in the region”.

President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s “consistent diplomatic efforts for regional peace and security” and expressed Tehran’s desire to further deepen cooperation with Islamabad across a wide range of sectors.

The two leaders also agreed on the need to further strengthen bilateral relations in line with decisions taken during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan in June.

They reviewed efforts to enhance regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts and exchanged views on regional developments.

Pezeshkian also called for greater unity among Muslim countries to address contemporary challenges.

Prime Minister Sharif invited the Iranian president to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

Pezeshkian, in turn, invited the prime minister to attend the forthcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit in Tehran in December 2026.

The meeting was attended by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials were also present.

Prime Minister Sharif arrived in Bishkek earlier on Monday for a three-day official visit, from August 31 to September 2, at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov.

Adylbek Kasymaliev, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, received the prime minister at Manas International Airport, according to the government.

The prime minister is scheduled to address the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and present Pakistan’s position on regional and global issues.

The leaders of China, Iran, Turkiye, Russia and India are also in Kyrgyzstan for the two-day summit.

The regional grouping, which also comprises Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus, is marking its 25th anniversary.

During the visit, Pakistan will assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27, while Islamabad is scheduled to host the next CHS summit.

According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Sharif will also participate in the SCO Plus Summit and hold bilateral meetings with leaders attending the gatherings.

He is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on August 31.

On September 2, the prime minister will hold bilateral talks with President Zhaparov on the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations.

The discussions are expected to focus on trade and investment, energy, regional connectivity, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, besides regional and international developments.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will join the Pakistani delegation in Bishkek for the SCO meetings and accompany Prime Minister Sharif during his engagements, including the bilateral discussions with President Zhaparov.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026