Iranian President Pezeshkian arrives in Pakistan, set to meet top leadership

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a one-day official visit following Pakistan-mediated talks between Iran and the United States held in Switzerland.

The Iranian president landed on a special aircraft operated by Mirage Airlines, identified as Minab 168. The name of the aircraft was given as a symbolic tribute to 168 children who were martyred in an attack on a school in Iran’s Minab city carried out by the United States and Israel.

This visit is Pezeshkian’s first foreign trip since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. It comes a day after Pakistan and Qatar announced that the first round of high-level US-Iran talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland, produced a 60-day roadmap toward a final agreement.

Habibollah Abbasi, Director of Public Relations at the Iranian president’s office, said that thanking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for “his mediation between Iran and the United States” is among the key goals of the visit.

The Foreign Office confirmed the visit and said the Iranian president is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers and senior officials.

During the visit, President Pezeshkian will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Both sides will review the full range of bilateral relations and explore new opportunities for cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people contact, and regional connectivity.

“The FO said the visit will also provide 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 statement added.

This is the second visit of Dr Pezeshkian to Pakistan in his capacity as Iran’s president.

Meanwhile, mediators said the United States and Iran made “encouraging progress” in the first round of talks aimed at a final peace deal, although tensions remain over Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.

A joint statement from Pakistan and Qatar said both sides agreed on a 60-day roadmap for a final agreement, with technical talks continuing in Switzerland.

They also agreed on a mechanism to help end fighting in Lebanon and set up communication channels to ensure safe passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.

US Vice President JD Vance said the talks laid a strong foundation for a possible final deal to end tensions in the Middle East.

He added that Pakistan will continue playing a “honest and sincere role” in promoting dialogue and peace.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the leadership of both the US and Iran for their commitment to dialogue and thanked friendly countries for supporting the diplomatic process.

He especially appreciated Qatar for its role in facilitating negotiations and also thanked Switzerland for hosting the talks.