Iran's foreign minister arrives in Pakistan to meet PM Khan, others

E-Paper | March 12, 2026

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Islamabad on Thursday to hold meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other high level officials.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received Zarif at the airport, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal.

The Iran's foreign minister, in addition to calling on his Pakistani counterpart and the PM of Pakistan, will also meet Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser as well as Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit.

"Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Iran, which is a brotherly Muslim country and an important neighbour," the FO spokesperson said.

The Iranian minister's visit comes days before the scheduled September 5 arrival of United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.

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Abbas

Aug 30, 2018 05:07pm

Welcome dear brother

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Pak_UK

Aug 30, 2018 05:08pm

Iran was first to recognise us as a country too. True friend of Pakistan.

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Adnan Mazher Khan

Aug 30, 2018 05:18pm

A very positive sign by our brethren country and a window of opportunity for Imran Khan to make our relations with Iran better.

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M. Siddique

Aug 30, 2018 05:32pm

Pakistan should always have best relations with Iran irrespective of their relations with other country. Also, Pakistan should play an important role in mediating between Iran and its Arab neighbors.

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Dreamer

Aug 30, 2018 05:51pm

@Pak_UK and Afghanistan never recognized Pakistan and yet we deal with them along with India

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Nomi Goraya

Aug 30, 2018 05:51pm

It would have been warm gesture if our foreign minister would have received his counterpart at that airport. To have dignified peaceful relationship with all the neighbors is need of hour for Pakistan

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azhar

Aug 30, 2018 05:58pm

extend best possible level of hospitality and cooperation. Muslim world to unite under the leadership of Imran Khan

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Zak

Aug 30, 2018 06:00pm

Both Iran and US using Pakistan to pass messages to each other. Shows their value of Pakistan.

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El Cid

Aug 30, 2018 06:06pm

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif is a very able soft spoken highly intelligent representative of his country. I am impressed with this guy. Pakistan and Iran are brothers. Alhamdollilah!

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M. Saeed

Aug 30, 2018 06:11pm

Welcome dear friend Sir. We are always with you in all thick and thin.

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Afzaal ansari

Aug 30, 2018 06:30pm

The visit will be constructive development

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ghaznavi

Aug 30, 2018 06:31pm

Must strengthen ties with Iran, they are our natural allies together with Afghans. .

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Abbas Naqvi

Aug 30, 2018 06:33pm

Pakistan-Iran relations are expected to receive a boost under Imran khan government. The PM in his post victory speech had hinted that he wanted to improve ties with neighbors including Iran. Iran has also announced its desire to enhance relations with Pakistan, zarif's visit being an indicator of the same. Pakistan should get its share in the Iranian market, the largest in the Middle East, by enhancing trade and economic relations. Iran wants early implementation of IP gas pipeline project by Pakistan. The two neighboring countries can join hands to uproot menace of terrorism, a common threat to both, and work together for regional peace and stability.

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Reader

Aug 30, 2018 06:37pm

Pakistan and Iran need each others help, co-operation, trade, technical and scientific exchange, more now than before with America about to impose sanctions on both countries. Both have tremendous potential to help each other, which they should as neighbors for mutual benefit.

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Ahmed

Aug 30, 2018 06:38pm

It makes more sense to build stronger relations with Iran than with Saudi Arabia (SA). SA has created lots of problems in Pakistani society although pleasing the elites of the country.

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Suhail

Aug 30, 2018 06:58pm

Khoosh Awmdeed repected leader of a brotherly country! May our two peoples defy all odds and "live long and prosper".

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Ahmed

Aug 30, 2018 07:01pm

Work with Iran, very sharp people politically.

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Ali

Aug 30, 2018 07:15pm

We warmly welcome Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif for being the "first" dignitary to visit Pakistan after our elections. The brotherly people of Iran and Pakistan share common religion, history, culture, traditions, trade and long border. We must cooperate in every field and expand business and trade for the benefit of our people.

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Syed

Aug 30, 2018 07:17pm

Iran was the country who offered Pakistan Air force their air bases during 1965 war with India. A true and honest friend I do not understand where things went wrong and the two brothers remain apart for sometime. Thanks to Almighty if they are coming close to each other please do it its good for the Muslim Ommah

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fawad bhai

Aug 30, 2018 07:31pm

IK would be smarter to side with Iran than US. enough of being a slave of US.

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Fahim Khan

Aug 30, 2018 07:33pm

What protocol do we follow? Why was he not received by Foreign Minister? On the other other hand US secretary can talk directly to our PM and Saudi prince can go directly to GHQ?.

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Kamal

Aug 30, 2018 07:39pm

Iran is the only country that will stay with pk .. all others are opportunists.

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zeeshandxb

Aug 30, 2018 07:40pm

I think he should be meeting Shah Mehmood Qureshi

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Abbasshah

Aug 30, 2018 07:46pm

Imran Khan Sahab PM ,PK very well done for meeting Iranian FM Mohteram Jawad Zareef for bilateral talks .See how they in Iran r fighting for their dignity US bully!!

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Saddam Ali Khokhar

Aug 30, 2018 07:49pm

Welcome Iran.

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syed shahzad bukhari

Aug 30, 2018 07:59pm

Great honor to receive our brother neighbor FM, welcome to Pakistan.

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Jeff Z

Aug 30, 2018 09:09pm

Welcome . Pakistan should whatever necessary for Iran

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Masood

Aug 30, 2018 09:11pm

Never trust Iranians.

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faiz Kazmi

Aug 30, 2018 09:35pm

Welcome

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Bilal Hameed

Aug 30, 2018 09:43pm

Pakistan should not miss this opportunity. Gone are the days now look forward for The New Pakistan.

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Shahid khawaja

Aug 30, 2018 09:49pm

@Pak_UK I think Shah Mahmud Saheb should have received Mr Javad Zarif at the airport.

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Ali

Aug 30, 2018 09:50pm

Good opportunity . Our foreign minister should have received him

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Saeed Ali Pathan

Aug 30, 2018 10:02pm

It is time to make independent foreign policy. Say No to Saudia coaliation alliance.

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Dr Asif

Aug 30, 2018 10:10pm

Welcome so happy to see this day I have been wanting to see Pakistan friendly with it's neighbour Iran for 20 years and finally, Pakistan greets Iran. It's all because of Imran Khan's speech !

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MAkram

Aug 30, 2018 10:36pm

Long Live Iran and Pakistan zindabad

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Chacha

Aug 30, 2018 10:59pm

Hope Iran Pakistan friendship will flourish to new heights for betterment of the both countries and its people

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Never Again

Aug 30, 2018 11:04pm

Time for Pakistan to re-build relations with brotherly nations. For too long we've focused on (trying) to be good friends with the likes of US - bad mistake.

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Arif Imran Anjum

Aug 30, 2018 11:16pm

It's nice to have a delegation of the Muslim world .

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Pakistani

Aug 30, 2018 11:16pm

Glad that things are moving in right direction. Iran is one of our most reliable friends. We should value this friendship.

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Magnanimous approach

Aug 30, 2018 11:49pm

First remarkable guest was Navjot Singh Sidhu, he stirred the whole India, and press importance for opening long standing demand to open Kartarpur Corridor. Now India on great pressure from E.Punjab to open up that corridor. The instant arrival of Iranian FM Javad Zarif is important for both neighbors in backdrop of Afghan issue, a well as pressure on currency, a devaluation slide in offing. Pak can buy Oil,Gas, Parafin Wax, Other Petroleum Products from Iran in local currency Rupees, and Iran can buy Rice, Dry Fruit,Wheat,Cotton, Textile Products from Pak. Pak can exercise its foreign policy of “ Friendhip & Mutual Benefits from all” and no grouping or tension with any nation. Yes Pak should be a trade,travel and business oriented country.

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ejaz

Aug 30, 2018 11:49pm

Again only Pakistan can help Iran during its current crises, not India. Pakistan must protect its interest fist. The present Iran is more friendly to India than Pakistan. Old Iran was different. Actually Pakistan is in much better negotiating position now. If America keep insisting Do More with out Paying More, Pakistan can look other way. Saudi Arabia actually in better position to help Pakistan financially but will ask Pakistan to help them in their war in Yemen.

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Dawn

Aug 30, 2018 11:55pm

More important than meeting with USA.

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Iqbal A. malik

Aug 31, 2018 12:28am

"Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Iran, which is a brotherly Muslim country and an important neighbour," the FO spokesperson said. What importance FO spokesperson is talking about. Our Foreign Minister was supposed to receive him. I am very sorry to say this government's directions are not good either. It is not better than the previous two.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 31, 2018 12:45am

Welcome to your second home in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Keep it up and hang on tough.

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Jamsheed

Aug 31, 2018 12:53am

Pakistan should strengthen relations with brotherly Muslim country, Iran.

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Shah

Aug 31, 2018 01:17am

We have deep religious, historic, cultural and blood ties with Iran. Islamabad and Tehran must work togather on diplomacy, trade and security. A train link between Pakistan-Iran-Turkey is a dream.

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Justice

Aug 31, 2018 02:31am

Welcome brother

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ABBY

Aug 31, 2018 03:13am

Pakistan and Iran should complete gas pipe line as soon as possible. Pakistani economy need gas.

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Ahmed

Aug 31, 2018 03:36am

Iran is a brother country and their FM should have been received by our FM - as a matter of respect and protocol

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Farooq Khan

Aug 31, 2018 03:43am

We must forge good relations with Iran and enhance bilateral trade.

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Shan

Aug 31, 2018 03:51am

Iran and Pakistan should create Open border and one currency

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Tamza

Aug 31, 2018 03:54am

Foreign ministers should ‘meet’ foreign minister. NOT the PM.

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Ghani K

Aug 31, 2018 04:17am

Thank you reader Pak-UK for reminding us that Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan. How soon we forget.

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Ghani K

Aug 31, 2018 04:28am

Iranian FM 's visit is very significant especially few days before the visit of the US secretary of state Pompeo. Iran is facing financial difficulties after the sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. Time for us to show solidarity.

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Harry Jam

Aug 31, 2018 04:31am

I hope the Saudis are not ticked off! For a neighbor, we have almost no ties which is sad.

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Syed Ahmad

Aug 31, 2018 05:23am

@Pak_UK - You are 100% correct!

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 31, 2018 01:55pm

Welcome to your second home in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Keep it up and hang on tough.

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