Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the Pakistan-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as the beginning of a “new era of peace,” reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting regional stability, diplomacy, and stronger bilateral ties with Iran.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian in Islamabad, the prime minister said the Islamabad MoU represents a historic diplomatic achievement and reflects Pakistan’s sincere efforts to facilitate peace through dialogue.
PM Shehbaz Sharif clarified that Iran’s ballistic missile programme was never part of the negotiations between Iran and the United States under the Islamabad MoU. He stressed that the missile issue was never placed on the agenda and rejected speculation suggesting otherwise.
The prime minister welcomed President Pezeshkian and the Iranian delegation, expressing hope that the visit would further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in trade, investment, energy, regional connectivity, and economic development.
Highlighting Pakistan’s role as a mediator, Shehbaz Sharif said the ceasefire achieved after the signing of the Islamabad MoU was a positive step toward lasting regional peace. He expressed confidence that the ongoing technical-level dialogue would eventually lead to a comprehensive and long-term peace agreement.
The prime minister also paid tribute to the resilience of the Iranian people during recent regional tensions and expressed condolences over the loss of lives. He praised the leadership of Iran and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with its neighboring country.
PM Shehbaz acknowledged the contributions of several friendly nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt, for supporting diplomatic efforts that helped advance the peace process. He also credited Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Pakistan’s diplomatic team for their tireless efforts in facilitating dialogue and promoting regional stability.
Emphasizing the importance of equal treatment among nations, the prime minister stated that there should be no double standards regarding ballistic missile capabilities. He remarked that if other countries possess such defensive capabilities, Iran should not be treated differently.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his remarks, thanked Pakistan for its sincere mediation efforts and praised the close historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two countries. He described Pakistan as not only a neighboring state but also a trusted brother and friend.
The Iranian president reaffirmed that Iran would not compromise on its missile programme while expressing optimism about expanding cooperation with Pakistan in multiple sectors.
Concluding the joint press conference, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue working with Iran to promote peace, regional cooperation, and long-term prosperity, ending his remarks with the slogan, “Long live Pakistan-Iran friendship.”
