ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday to a grand welcome for a one-day official visit, following Islamabad-mediated talks between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland.
The Iranian president landed aboard a special Mirage Airlines aircraft, identified as Minab 168 — a symbolic tribute to the 168 children martyred in an attack on their school by the United States and Israel in Iran’s Minab city.
Upon arrival, President Pezeshkian was accorded a red-carpet welcome and a guard of honour. He was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and other senior Pakistani leaders. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was also present.
The visit marks Pezeshkian’s first foreign trip since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. It comes a day after Pakistan and Qatar announced that the opening round of high-level US-Iran talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland, had produced a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement.
Habibollah Abbasi, Director of Public Relations at the Iranian President’s Office, said one of the key objectives of the visit was to express appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his role in mediating between Iran and the United States.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed the visit, stating that President Pezeshkian is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers and other senior officials.
During his stay in Islamabad, the Iranian president is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to the Foreign Office, both sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues for enhancing cooperation in areas including trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges, and regional connectivity.
The Foreign Office added that the visit will also provide an important opportunity to discuss ongoing diplomatic engagements following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.
“The forthcoming visit reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran to further deepen their historic and cultural ties and underscores their common aspiration for peace, stability, and sustainable progress in the region,” the statement said.
This is Dr Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan since assuming office as the president of Iran.
Meanwhile, mediators said on Monday that the United States and Iran had made “encouraging progress” during the first round of talks aimed at securing a final peace agreement, although tensions remained over Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.
A joint statement issued by mediating nations Pakistan and Qatar said the two sides had agreed on a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days. Technical-level negotiations are expected to continue throughout the week at the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock.
The statement said both parties also agreed on a mechanism to end the fighting in Lebanon between US ally Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah. In addition, they established a communications channel to help ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies.
US Vice President JD Vance described the first round of talks in Switzerland as a positive step, saying the discussions had laid a strong foundation for reaching a final agreement to end the Middle East conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that Pakistan would continue to play an honest and sincere role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving a peaceful and lasting resolution.
He also commended the leadership of both the United States and Iran for their commitment to constructive engagement and thanked friendly and brotherly countries for supporting what he described as a historic diplomatic process.
The prime minister expressed special gratitude to Qatar for its crucial role in creating conditions that allowed the negotiations to move forward and also thanked the Swiss government for facilitating and hosting the talks.