Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday addressed a joint press briefing in Islamabad.

The Iranian president is on a one-day official visit to Pakistan at PM Shehbaz’s invitation. The press briefing is taking place after the two leaders held a meeting at the Prime Minister House, which was followed by delegation-level talks.

PM Shehbaz said he and President Pezeshkian held “very productive discussions in a very cordial atmosphere”.

“It was like a family reunion, and brothers were talking to each other with the fullest clarity and total commitment that we will do everything to strengthen our brotherly relations like never before,” he remarked.

He noted that Islamabad and Tehran have “consistently stood by one another in difficult times, and recent events have once again demonstrated beyond any ray of doubt the enduring strength of this brotherhood, this friendship and this partnership”.

The premier began his speech by reciting an Iranian couplet on the themes of friendship during challenging times.

PM Shehbaz described Pezeshkian as a “visionary and sagacious leader of a great country, Iran”. “But you’re a man of many talents and qualities — you are calm, you are wise and you are patient,” he added.

Recalling the Iranian president’s past treatment of patients in hospitals, PM Shehbaz congratulated him on “this very well-deserved conferment”.

He termed today a “historic moment between Pakistan and Iran”.

Recalling the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last week between the United States and Iran, the premier said it was “a matter of great happiness that this war has come to an end, which could have engulfed the entire region and beyond”.

The prime minister hailed the “sagacious” leadership of Pezeshkian and his colleagues, and highlighted Pakistan’s role as an “honest and sincere mediator” in the US-Iran peace process.

PM Shehbaz also announced he would be undertaking a visit to Tehran next week to pay respects to late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and to “reaffirm and reassure Pakistan’s solidarity with our brotherly people of Iran”.

“Zindabad dosti Pakistan o Iran,” he concluded.

At the outset of his address, PM Shehbaz referred to the US-Iran technical talks held in Switzerland and said, “My dear brother, we pray to Allah Almighty that God-willing, this arrangement will usher in a new era of peace, stability and prosperity for this entire region.”

The prime minister also appreciated the “wisdom and sagacity” of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei for guiding the Iranian nation through “these very difficult and challenging times”.

“Throughout this crisis, the entire Iranian nation, our Iranian brothers and sisters, have demonstrated their unity with honour and dignity,” he observed, praising their courage as “awe-inspiring”.

He went on to extend Pakistan’s deepest condolences on the “loss of thousands of precious lives, including the late Khamenei, who was a great visionary leader and respected by all and sundry around the Muslim world”.

The premier affirmed that the people of Pakistan share the grief of Iranians and stand in “complete solidarity with the people of Iran”.

“Your happiness is our happiness. Your sorrow is our sorrow,” PM Shehbaz remarked.

“Iran’s success is our success. Iran’s loss is our loss,” he added, inserting another Persian phrase in his speech. “This sentiment reflects deeply the feeling of the people of Pakistan.”

He highlighted that the two were “far more than just neighbours” and bound together by shared history, faith and culture.

The premier extended his country’s gratitude to the Iranian leadership for reposing their “abiding trust in Pakistan to initiate and mediate this peace process”. “We have done this act of mediation with fullest honesty of purpose and complete sincerity,” he declared.

He commended both the Iranian and US delegations for their “serious and constructive participation” in the Lake Lucerne Summit held in Switzerland.

Mentioning the “support and encouragement of many brotherly and friendly countries”, PM Shehbaz thanked the Qatari emir’s “pivotal role” and the “steadfast support and encouragement” of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

The prime minister also hailed the “untiring efforts [and] unwavering commitment” of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

“Even during the dark days, he never wavered and, as a result, was instrumental in helping build the consensus that made this historic breakthrough possible by the grace of god,” he emphasised.

The premier went on to praise the “dedicated efforts” of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his team at the Foreign Office (FO), as well as the “valuable contributions” of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

‘Age-old trust’

President Pezeshkian began his address by reciting verses by renowned poet Allama Iqbal, which he said continued to inspire unity among Muslim nations.

He said the two nations “do not merely live next to each other, but they share a common destiny in the majority of their aspirations, concerns and hopes”.

“Pakistan for us is not merely a neighbouring country; it’s a brotherly and friendly country and has been an amicable companion and has had deep historical, cultural, religious and popular bonds between the two nations and these bonds have brought our nations closer,” he highlighted.

Noting that the relations between Islamabad and Tehran have always been consolidated on the basis of mutual respect, goodwill and historical trust, Pezeshkian said the “recent developments have once again showcased the consolidation of this valuable asset”.

The president stated: “In a critical historical juncture that the region is facing a multitude of challenges, the responsible and visionary role played by Pakistan in supporting the discussions and negotiations in de-escalating and strengthening the regional stability is a manifestation of a brotherly and futuristic attitude and viewpoint by this country towards the developments in the region.”

He observed that Iran’s acceptance of Pakistan’s initiative was a “reflection of the ancient and age-old trust that the Iranian nation has towards the nation, the government and the authorities of Pakistan”.

Thanking the solidarity displayed by Pakistanis and the hospitality of the leadership here, Pezeshkian said he held “constructive meetings and discussions” with PM Shehbaz, President Zardari and CDF Munir.

“In these discussions, we had many good points talks and discussed regarding the latest developments in the region and in the world and also regarding bilateral relations,” he elaborated.

Pezeshkian observed that the two neighbours were “adamant to use the positive existing atmosphere to usher in a new era and open a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the two countries and draw new horizons and new opportunities of cooperation based on shared interests”.

“We deeply believe that peace, stability, sustainable security, development and the welfare of nations in the strategic region of West Asia and the Persian Gulf can only be ensured through straightforward and honest discussions, intra-regional cooperation, interactions and cooperation based on mutual respect for the countries in the region,” he stated.

The president added, “Based on this fact, we stretch our hands of friendship to establish a common understanding and build a new security structure in the region for the countries in the region.”

‘We will never let you down’

Addressing a delegation-level meeting earlier, PM Shehbaz said it was a “great pleasure once again to welcome you to Pakistan”.

He said Pezeshkian’s acceptance of his invitation after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was a “matter of great happiness and satisfaction for all of us”.

The premier requested Pezeshkian to convey his warm regards to Iran’s supreme leader for his “sagacious leadership that Iran has been able to achieve this MoU and as a result, a ceasefire with dignity and honour”.

He also offered his deepest condolences “on the killings of innocent Iranian brothers and sisters, children, which run into thousands of people”.

PM Shehbaz said: “Yet, under your sagacious and very calm, visionary leadership, today, thanks to God, we are sitting here to peep into a very bright future, and I am very grateful to you and the Iranian leadership for having abiding trust in Pakistan’s ability to mediate with honesty and sincerity.

“I want to assure you that as brothers, we will never let you down,” he affirmed.

“As they say, true brotherhood doesn’t have any questions to answer. And here we are,” the prime minister said.

He further assured the Iranian leader that Pakistan will “carry on this important role until we have everlasting peace in place, on terms and conditions which are dictated by dignity and honour”. He also hailed the courage of Iranians.

Highlighted the role and “outstanding contribution” of CDF Munir, he remarked: “He has toiled and worked untiringly through the nights, through those dark days with one mission: come what may, we will do everything humanly possible to stop this war, which can burn vast swathes of land and devastate everything.”

The premier also appreciated the efforts of Dar and Naqvi for their “fine shuttle diplomacy”. “In that, brother Abbas Araghchi has played a pivotal role,” he said.

Earlier, the Iranian president was welcomed at the Prime Minister’s House with a guard of honour, and the two held a meeting before delegation-level talks.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was at the direct talks held between the United States and Iran in Switzerland over the weekend, is also accompanying Pezeshkian during the visit.

At PM House, the Iranian president engaged in a bilateral meeting with PM Shehbaz, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

A statement from the PMO said that Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar were in attendance.

It added that delegation-level talks would take place later.

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq were also expected to call on the Iranian president, according to the Foreign Office (FO).

Iran’s state media IRNA reported that FM Araghchi held talks with President Zardari and PM Shehbaz “only hours” before Pezeshkian landed in Pakistan.

‘Principled support for Iran’s peace’

President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s “principled support for Iran’s peace” as President Pezeshkian paid a visit to Islamabad.

In their meeting at Aiwan-i-Sadr, President Zardari welcomed his Iranian counterpart on his first state visit to Pakistan since the US-Iran war, the presidency said.

“The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, mainly regional peace and security, bilateral and regional connectivity, economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest,” the statement said.

President Zardari noted that the visit reflected the “longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries and a desire to stay together in good and bad times”.

He stressed that Pakistan has “consistently opposed one-sided initiatives and has supported dialogue and diplomacy as the means to achieve a durable and sustainable solution to regional and global challenges”.

He also underscored Pakistan’s “commitment to preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah while maintaining strong fraternal relations with the countries of the Gulf region”, the presidency said.

President Zardari congratulated Pezeshkian on the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran and “expressed the hope that the ongoing technical-level negotiations would culminate in permanent peace in the region”.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “principled support for Iran’s peace, stability, national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

The president again expressed his condolences on the “martyrdom of His Eminence Ali Hosseini Khamenei”, who was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on Iran, and said that Pakistan would participate in his funeral.

Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its “positive and constructive efforts in support of peace and dialogue and appreciated the support extended by Pakistan during [the] recent challenging circumstances”, the presidency said.

The Iranian president said his country “attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and looks forward to further expanding cooperation in political, economic, security and regional matters”

President Zardari requested President Pezeshkian to convey his warm regards to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

The Iranian president was accompanied by FM Araghchi, Chief of the President’s Office Mohsen Haji Mirzaei, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Chief of Political Affairs of President’s Office Saeed Abbas Mousavi and Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam.

From the Pakistani side, Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman and former FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Senate Chief Whip Saleem Mandviwala and ex-senator Dr Asim Hussain were present during the meeting.

CDF Munir, Pezeshkian discuss ‘peace initiatives’

CDF Munir called on the Iranian president, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

They exchanged views on “regional developments and peace initiatives”, the ISPR said in a statement.

CDF Munir, along with PM Shehbaz, had participated in the US-Iran talks in Switzerland, where they discussed a framework for regional peace.

Both leaders have been involved in efforts to secure peace in the Middle East after the US-Iran war erupted on February 28 as US-Israeli strikes hit Tehran.

During his meeting with the army chief, Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation, and regional stability”, the ISPR said.

It added that he acknowledged Pakistan’s “consistent efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of disputes and foster understanding among regional stakeholders at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges”.

On his part, CDF Munir reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the region, the statement noted.

“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and maintaining close consultations on issues of mutual interest, with the shared objective of advancing peace, prosperity and stability across the region,” it read.

Iran president, FM arrive

Pezeshkian and Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on separate flights earlier in the day. The Iranian president flew to the federal capital from Iran, while the foreign minister’s last engagement was in Oman.

President Pezeshkian, upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, was received by President Zardari, PM Shehbaz, Deputy PM Dar, Naqvi, Bilawal and Ambassador Moghaddam.

FM Araghchi, who had already landed in Pakistan, was also present to welcome his president.

Pezeshkian was accorded a 21-gun salute, while fighter jets conducted a flypast in his honour, state-run APP reported. The president waved in response to the children’s welcoming slogans, it added.

Upon his arrival at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan airbase earlier in the day, Araghchi was welcomed by Dar, Naqvi and Bilawal.

“The leadership and people of Pakistan extend a warm welcome to Foreign Minister Araghchi and the Iranian delegation to Islamabad,” the FO said.

In an earlier statement, the FO noted Pezeshkian’s visit was his second to Pakistan in his capacity as the president of Iran.

It said the visit would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity.

It also termed the visit 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 FO added.

IHC, FCC cancel judicial work; govt tells Red Zone employees to work from home

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) also cancelled judicial work for Tuesday, due to the closure of the Red Zone for the Iranian president’s visit. A notification issued by the IHC said that Tuesday’s cause list had been cancelled, adding that officials were directed to work from home.

However, it added that district courts would function as per routine.

Similarly, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) also announced the suspension of judicial work at its principal seat in Islamabad due to the closure of the Red Zone in Islamabad.

“Consequently, the cause list of the Court stands cancelled. However, all officers and staff shall work from home and shall not leave the station. Besides, all four branch registries of the court shall remain open for judicial and administrative work,” the notification said.

Separately, the federal government issued a notification implementing a one-day “work from home” directive for various ministries.

According to a notification issued by Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal, employees of ministries, divisions, and government offices located inside Islamabad’s Red Zone will work remotely. Furthermore, autonomous bodies and attached departments operating within the Red Zone will observe a full holiday.

However, essential federal institutions and banks were exempted from this order. These included the Prime Minister’s Office, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the Federal Board of Revenue, and the ministries of foreign affairs, interior, commerce, industries, law, parliamentary affairs, and planning division, alongside all federal banking institutions.

Bus stands closed

All bus terminals operating in the capital were closed on Monday night as a security measure in view of the arrival of the Iranian president.

Officials of the capital administration and police said that the capital police, under directives from the capital administration, approached the managements of bus terminals in the capital, including those at Faizabad and Chongi No 26, and asked them to shut down their operations before midnight.

The managers were further asked to suspend their operations on Tuesday. The terminals will remain closed until the departure of the Iranian president. Besides, the Islamabad Red Zone has also been sealed as a security measure. Entry will be allowed only to concerned officials.

Further, Islamabad District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon ordered the immediate closure of all popular hiking routes in the city.

The restriction applies to Trail 2, Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5, and the hiking tracks located behind Saidpur Village, remaining effective from Tuesday until further notice.

US-Iran talks in Switzerland

Pezeshkian’s visit follows key direct talks — dubbed the “Lake Lucerne Summit” — held between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, kicking off negotiations under the Islamabad MoU signed on June 18.

Under the 14-point accord, Washington and Tehran agreed on a framework to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate on key issues within 60 days of the signing.

The US-Iran talks in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock were mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir representing Pakistan.

The Lake Lucerne Summit created a mechanism for further technical talks, which will continue this week, and also set up communication lines to end the fighting in Lebanon and to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open.

“Encouraging progress has been made,” the mediators said in their joint statement, including a contact channel set up to “avoid incidents and miscommunication” in the Strait of Hormuz.

A “de-confliction cell” between the parties and the Lebanese authorities has also been agreed upon to prevent fighting from erupting again.

Additional input from APP