Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan fully supported Iran’s right to a civilian nuclear program, assuring Tehran that Islamabad will work with it on all issues of mutual concern.
Reaching Tehran on the second leg of a four-nation tour acknowledging friendly nations’ support for Pakistan during its recent conflict with India, he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and called on Iranian Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarrar are accompanying the premier on his tour.
Following delegation-level talks, Sharif and Pezeshkian addressed a joint press conference during which the prime minister thanked Iran for its support during the recent conflict. “We stand with our Iranian brothers and reaffirm our support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear program,” he said, adding Islamabad fully supported Tehran’s right to have a civilian nuclear program.
Stressing that Pakistan stood by its brothers and sisters in Iran to promote peace, progress, and prosperity, he said Pakistan would work with Iran on all issues of mutual concern. Hailing the “brave actions” of the armed forces for helping Pakistan emerge victorious from its conflict with India, he said the people of Pakistan had offered their full support. He also reiterated his call for talks with India for the sake of regional peace.
“We want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks … and resolve our outstanding issues, including Kashmir, according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions which were acknowledged even by the Indian Lok Sabha when Nehru was the prime minister of India,” he said. “For the sake of peace, we are ready for talk on different issues, including water, trade and also counter-terrorism if India is serious,” he said, warning Pakistan would defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity if India continued its aggressive posturing.
The prime minister said his meeting was productive, noting both sides had agreed on the need to enhance cooperation in diverse fields, including trade, investment and economy. “We have decided to transform these relations into a very productive cooperation,” he said.
The Iranian president welcomed Sharif, saying the neighboring countries should cooperate to make their borders secure from the activities of terrorists and criminal groups. He said peaceful bilateral relations were in the interest of both countries. Welcoming the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, he said settling issues through dialogue was essential for regional stability.
Pezeshkian said he had discussed issues facing the Islamic world with Sharif, stressing the top priority was Palestine. “As always we support the cause of Palestine and condemn the atrocities carried out by Israel,” he said. Sharif said that Pakistan condemned Israeli actions inflicting untold misery on the people of Gaza. “It is high time that the international community uses its influence to bring lasting ceasefire in Palestine,” he said.
Khamenei meeting
During his meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Sharif briefed him about the recent conflict with India, and Delhi’s hegemonic and revisionist designs. He thanked the leadership of Iran for supporting Pakistan against Indian aggression. He noted steps underway to elevate Pakistan-Iran ties, adding his government was committed to further deepen strategic cooperation with Tehran.
Khamenei appreciated Sharif’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability and praised his personal commitment to further strengthen Pak-Iran ties. He prayed for greater prosperity, growth, and development of Pakistan and its people.
“Relations between Iran and Pakistan have always been warm and brotherly,” he wrote in a posting on X. “Pakistan’s commendable stance during Saddam [Hussein]’s imposed war on Iran is a clear example of these brotherly relations,” he said, adding the two countries can assist one another in many fields.
“We are hopeful there will be a comprehensive expansion of ties, particularly in economic, political, and cultural spheres,” he added.
Earlier, P.M. Sharif told state-run IRNA that trade between Pakistan and Iran would be taken to $10 billion in the next few years from the current $3 billion. “We are discussing signing a free trade agreement,” he said, stressing on the need for sustained economic engagements in the long-term.