• Iranian president to lead high-level delegation, ‘full spectrum’ of ties to be reviewed
• PM Shehbaz says Pakistan to continue advancing ‘dialogue and diplomacy’
ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will arrive in Islamabad today at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, days after Pakistan successfully brokered a peace agreement between the US and Iran to end the hostilities in West Asia.
“This will be Dr Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan in his capacity as President of Iran,” the Foreign Office statement said. He will be accompanied by ministers and other high-ranking officials.
During his visit, President Pezeshkian will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and the prime minister. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will call on the visiting dignitary, as per the statement.
“...the two sides will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues to further deepen cooperation across diverse sectors, including trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges, and regional connectivity,” the FO said.
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”.
President Pezeshkian’s visit follows key direct talks — dubbed the “Lake Lucerne Summit” — held between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, commencing 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 PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir representing Pakistan.
PM returns home
Following the talks in Switzerland, PM Shehbaz, who arrived in Islamabad on Monday night, termed the dialogue between the US and Iran constructive. “Pakistan will continue to play its honest and sincere role in advancing dialogue and diplomacy towards a peaceful and lasting resolution,” the PM said in an earlier statement on X.
“Alhamdulillah, the first high-level committee meeting under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has concluded successfully in Bürgenstock, Switzerland,” he added.
The PM said the discussions were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere and yielded encouraging progress, including agreement on a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days, the establishment of a high-level committee to provide political oversight, and the commencement of further technical talks.
“In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to our brotherly country Qatar, for its critical support in creating the conditions necessary for these negotiations to move forward,” he added.
The PM expressed gratitude to the Swiss Government for their facilitation in hosting these talks.
“I would like to pay special tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir whose untiring efforts made these talks a success. His dedication, commitment and perseverance are indeed commendable without which there would have been no progress,” he added.
Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026