Pakistan’s prime minister and Iran’s president discuss regional tensions, bilateral ties and continued diplomatic efforts during their meeting in Bishkek.
BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have stressed the importance of building on understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
The two leaders met on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
PM Shehbaz described the Islamabad MoU understandings as the only viable pathway towards enduring regional peace, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Shehbaz stresses restraint and diplomacy
During the meeting, Shehbaz emphasised the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability.
The prime minister reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue its sincere diplomatic efforts aimed at regional peacebuilding.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.
The Islamabad MoU was reached between the United States and Iran in June as part of diplomatic efforts to halt the Middle East conflict and establish a framework for addressing outstanding issues.
Asim Munir’s Tehran visit discussed
Shehbaz also referred to the recent visit of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran.
The prime minister said Munir’s visit and his constructive engagements were positive for ongoing regional peace efforts.
The meeting comes amid continued regional tensions and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and de-escalation between the parties involved in the wider Middle East conflict.
Pakistan-Iran ties to be strengthened
The two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Iran.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, they agreed on the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest, building on understandings reached during Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan in June.
They also reviewed efforts to improve regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts.
Pezeshkian highlighted the historical, cultural and religious ties between the two countries and expressed Tehran’s desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan across multiple sectors.
The Iranian president also stressed the importance of greater unity among Muslim countries in addressing contemporary challenges.
Leaders exchange invitations
During the meeting, Shehbaz invited Pezeshkian to make an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
Pezeshkian, in turn, invited the Pakistani prime minister to attend the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit in Tehran in December 2026.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Pakistan continues regional peace efforts
The Bishkek meeting reflects Pakistan’s continued diplomatic engagement with Iran as regional tensions remain high.
Islamabad has repeatedly called for dialogue, restraint and diplomatic engagement while seeking to support efforts aimed at preventing further escalation.
The latest meeting also provides an opportunity for Pakistan and Iran to strengthen bilateral cooperation while coordinating on wider regional security and connectivity issues.
