• Premier tells Iranian president Islamabad and Tehran must work together to reduce regional tensions; apprises him of progress on Makkah accord
• Meets Bangladesh PM; reiterates commitment to continued engagement under GSP+ in meeting with European officials

NEW YORK: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed that the Islamabad Memo­randum of Understanding (MoU) remained “totally acceptable” to Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday, adding that Tehran agreed that there was a need to move it forward.

Speaking to the media in New York after his meeting with President Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the prime minister said the entire Pakistani leadership was united in its resolve to expedite the peace efforts outlined in the Islamabad MoU.

PM Shehbaz said the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and the provocative activities taking place there, required brotherly and friendly countries to work together to reduce tensions.

“For this purpose, today I met the Iranian president, had a detailed meeting with him, and told him that restoring peace to the region is the need of the hour, a very important need,” he said.

He said Pakistan, as it had done in the past, would continue working for peace with Iran, which he described as a “brotherly” and neighbouring country.

According to PM Shehbaz, President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and reaffirmed Iran’s acceptance of the Islamabad MoU.

“The Iranian president appreciated this and said the Islamabad MoU is still totally acceptable to us and there’s a need to move it forward,” he said.

The prime minister said Pakistan would continue working with friendly and brotherly countries to help reduce tensions and promote peace in the region.

He also highlighted what he described as close cooperation between Pakistan’s political and military leadership, saying that this teamwork was contributing both to diplomatic efforts and economic stability.

“Similarly, the successful efforts we have made on the diplomatic front are the results of this teamwork,” he added.

Asked about terrorism, the prime minister said the attacks Pakistan was witnessing were coming from Afghanistan.

He added that terrorists based in Afghanistan had killed Pakistani civilians as well as military and police personnel and that this was “extremely condemnable”.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan was giving a “befitting response” to terrorism and would continue its campaign until the threat was eliminated.

Asked whether he had taken the Iranian president into confidence about the Makkah defence accord, the prime minister said, “Yes, this was discussed, and we did apprise him.”

Soon after the prime minister spoke, reporters asked Defence Minister Khawaja Asif whether Iran was on board with the Makkah accord.

He said Pakistan had discussed the agreement with Iran, but Tehran had not yet formally joined it. He added that Iran could join in the future, as several countries had expressed interest.

Member states, he said, were still in the process of setting up the accord’s secretariat, after which further details would be discussed.

Other meetings

Earlier, PM Shehbaz met European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the UNGA and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continued engagement under the GSP+ scheme of the European Union.

During the meeting, the leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-EU relations and expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum in high-level exchanges and engagement between Pakistan and the EU, according to the PMO.

PM Shehbaz underscored the importance of “sustained leadership-level engagement” in providing greater direction and momentum to the relationship.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its “broad-based partnership” with the European Union and the full implementation of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.

PM Shehbaz also met with his Bangladeshi counterpart Tarique Rahman, wherein they reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors including trade, investment, connectivity, education, tourism and people-to-people contacts.

Separately, PM Shehbaz invited Pakistani business personalities and professionals based in the US to invest in Pakistan, assuring them that the government was providing a conducive environment to promote investment and business activities.

The prime minister, while meeting delegations of Pakistani business personalities and professionals associated with information technology, artificial intelligence, automobiles, energy, construction and other sectors, said reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue had helped address the issues faced by the business community.

In a separate meeting with delegations of the US-based Pakistani community and youth, the premier invited them to propose improvements across various sectors and play their full role in the development of Pakistan.

He highlighted that his government was taking all-out measures to empower youth through information technology, artificial intelligence, and modern skills.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2026