BISHKEK/ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan and Iran, as brotherly and neighbouring countries, would continue working together to promote peace and de-escalate tensions in the region.
Talking to Iranian media after his meeting with Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, the prime minister said meetings between the two countries’ leadership were always a matter of great happiness and satisfaction.
“Pakistan and Iran are brotherly countries. We are neighbouring countries and whenever we meet, it is a matter of great happiness and satisfaction,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz described Pakistan and Iran as two brothers who exchanged views and notes on important regional and bilateral issues.
He expressed hope that the two countries would work together to promote peace in the region and contribute towards de-escalating the prevailing situation.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire to strengthen cooperation with Iran and said the two neighbouring countries could play an important role in promoting peace, stability and understanding in the region.
ALSO, PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. He laid this emphasis during his meeting with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek today, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) Meeting in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The PM also underscored the need to build on the understandings reached under the Islamabad MoU, as it offered the only viable pathway towards enduring peace in the region.
Both leaders also exchanged views on the evolving regional situation. While reaffirming that Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts for regional peacebuilding, Shehbaz Sharif said the recent visit of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran and his constructive engagements augured well in this regard.
During the warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between the two countries. They emphasized the need to further strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual cooperation, in line with decisions taken during the visit of President Pezeshkian to Pakistan in June this year.
They also reviewed ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts.
President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s consistent diplomatic efforts for regional peace and security. He also underscored the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, rooted in centuries of shared history, culture, and faith, and reaffirmed Tehran’s strong desire to further deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
The Iranian President further stressed the need to forge unity among the Ummah to deal with contemporary challenges.
The Prime Minister extended an invitation to President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The Iranian President also invited the Prime Minister to the forthcoming ECO Summit in Tehran in December this year.
Later, talking to the media, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Iran are brotherly and neighboring countries, and their meetings are always a matter of great happiness and satisfaction.
He said the two countries exchange views on important issues and work together to promote peace in the region. He said Pakistan and Iran will continue joint efforts to de-escalate the situation and promote regional peace.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its Strategic Partnership with Uzbekistan.
The commitment was expressed during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Bishkek today, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) Meeting in the Kyrgyz Republic.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also emphasized translating the excellent political relationship into tangible economic benefits for the peoples of both countries.
Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of the timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity, and economic cooperation.
The Prime Minister reiterated the shared objective of increasing bilateral trade to two billion dollars by 2029.
He also called for the effective implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement, greater business-to-business engagement, and the promotion of mutually beneficial joint ventures.
Highlighting regional connectivity as a shared strategic priority, the Prime Minister underscored the transformative potential of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway for linking Central and South Asia and facilitating Uzbekistan’s access to Pakistan’s seaports.
He emphasized early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study and greater utilization of existing multimodal transport corridors.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.
The two sides discussed further strengthening cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, digital technologies, education, culture, defence, and security.
The Prime Minister also supported enhanced air connectivity, including progress towards direct Tashkent-Karachi flights.
The Prime Minister appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s forthcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and expressed the desire to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional security, connectivity, trade, and sustainable development. He also emphasized continued cooperation within the ECO and other multilateral forums.
Shehbaz Sharif conveyed warm felicitations to President Mirziyoyev and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence.
