Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday offered Pakistan’s full cooperation to Iran for boosting economic development and expanding bilateral trade, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The offer was made during a meeting with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who visited Islamabad along with a delegation.
During the discussions, PM Shehbaz emphasized Pakistan’s eagerness to foster collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, and infrastructure development. The premier highlighted the long-standing cordial relations between Pakistan and its neighbor, describing Iran as a brotherly Muslim nation and underscoring the countries’ shared commitment to peaceful dialogue and diplomacy for resolving regional disputes.
The meeting also underscored a joint stance against state-sponsored terrorism, with both countries affirming their resolve to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. “Both countries have unfortunately been victims of terrorism and thus firmly share the resolve for global peace, prosperity, and positive cooperation,” PM Shehbaz stated. He reiterated that Pakistan and Iran are determined to work cohesively to strengthen the unity of the Muslim Ummah and to promote regional cooperation.
Speaker Ghalibaf expressed gratitude to the prime minister, the government, and the people of Pakistan for their support during the recent Iran-Israel conflict. He noted that Pakistan’s assistance and diplomatic backing during the 12-day war were deeply appreciated by the Iranian leadership and citizens. The Iranian speaker also conveyed messages of warmth and reverence from President Masoud Pazeshkian, highlighting Iran’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in economic and trade sectors.
The discussions highlighted prospects for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Iran, signaling a potential milestone in regional economic integration. Speaker Ghalibaf emphasized the importance of parliamentary cooperation, expressing appreciation for the constructive engagement between the National Assemblies of both countries. The meeting was attended by key officials, including NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.
PM Shehbaz also extended formal reverence to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Pazeshkian, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to fostering bilateral ties based on mutual respect and strategic cooperation. Both leaders underscored the role of economic collaboration in promoting sustainable development, job creation, and shared prosperity for their respective populations.
The visit further strengthens the diplomatic and economic engagement between Pakistan and Iran, signaling a renewed focus on trade partnerships, regional stability, and broader collaboration on international platforms. Analysts suggest that the growing alignment on economic and security matters reflects a mutual interest in leveraging geographic proximity and historical ties to support trade, energy cooperation, and regional infrastructure development.
As Pakistan and Iran move closer to formalizing frameworks for trade and economic collaboration, this diplomatic engagement is expected to facilitate investment flows, strengthen cross-border commerce, and reinforce the countries’ shared objectives of peace and stability in the region.
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