TEHRAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan was prepared to hold talks with India for the sake of regional peace, reiterating that the country desired peace and stability in South Asia.
“We want peace… we are ready to engage in dialogue for the resolution of all disputes, including the issue of Kashmir,” the premier said while addressing a joint press conference along with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.
Following the conclusion of visit to Turkiye, the premier landed in Tehran as part of his four-nation tour to friendly countries, with aim to express his gratitude for supporting Pakistan during the recent conflict against India.
Upon his arrival, the prime minister was received by Iranian Interior Minister and Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Iranian armed forces presented a guard of honour at the airport.
Irans Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni receives Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Mehrabad Airport, Tehran, Iran, May 26, 2025. — X/@GovtofPakistan
Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni receives Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Mehrabad Airport, Tehran, Iran, May 26, 2025. — X/@GovtofPakistan
The prime minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal General Asim Munir. Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi, Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi are also part of the delegation.
During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, where he will be presented with a formal guard of honour.
The meeting will focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The Pakistani delegation will also express gratitude to the Iranian leadership for its support during the recent conflict with India.
Moreover, the prime minister and his delegation are scheduled to meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
‘Pakistan, Iran eye $10 bn bilateral trade’
Prior to his visit to Tehran, PM Shehbaz — in an interview with Iranian news agency — said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran which stood at $3 billion, would be taken to $10 billion volume in the next few years, as there was immense potential of growth.
The prime minister noted that the bilateral trade between the two countries had witnessed a significant increase in the past three to four years.
“We want to take it up to $10 billion in the next few years, but I think the potential is much larger than that as well. We are discussing signing a free trade agreement (FTA). I think in the next ten years, the trade volume between the two countries will expand a great deal,” the Iranian news wire quoted the prime minister as saying.
The premier, to a query, replied that he strongly believed that the economic destiny of both countries was interlinked as they shared a border of about 900 kilometres.
“I personally believe that strong economic linkage between Pakistan’s Balochistan and Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan can be good for the entire region. It can also be very effective in dealing with terrorism,” he added.
He further mentioned that the two countries had signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) about developing projects between these provinces. He further underscored the need of sustained economic engagement between Iran and Pakistan.
To a question regarding his Iran’s visit, the prime minister said that he was undertaking the visit at the invitation of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“The principal objective of my visit is to thank Iran for supporting and standing by us during our conflict with India. India, as you know, imposed war on us, which we repulsed through a decisive but measured and well-calibrated response consistent with international humanitarian law. So, I want to thank Iranian leadership for its support and its offer for mediation, which we accepted but India rejected,” he added.
He said that during his visit, he would also discuss the bilateral relations and issues of mutual interests.
The prime minister also appreciated the excellent bilateral ties between the brotherly countries, adding Islamabad and Tehran would continue to support each other on issues of Muslim Ummah and regional cooperation.
Responding to another question, he said that he strongly believed there could be no peace and justice in the region till resolution of Kashmir and Palestine issues, reiterating that it was critically important that these issues should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri and Palestinian people.
About Iran-US talks, the prime minister said they believed that negotiations, diplomacy and engagement were the best solutions because, in this way, they could avoid conflicts and wars.
“It is important to promote peace, development and security in the region. I have great faith in Iran’s leadership. I am quite hopeful that positive things will come out of these negotiations. On behalf of Pakistan, I wish peace and stability prevailing in the region,” he added.
To a question, the prime minister said they were grateful to Iran for its offer of mediation during the recent conflict with India, which showed its sincerity and wisdom, in promoting peace and stability in the region and thanked President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araqchi for their efforts to defuse tensions in South Asia.
