LAHORE: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for his first official visit since taking office, signaling a renewed push to deepen Iran-Pakistan relations across trade, security, and regional cooperation.
Touching down at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, President Pezeshkian received a warm welcome from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The Iranian head of state is accompanied by a senior delegation, including cabinet ministers and top officials.
During the two-day state visit, President Pezeshkian will meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and hold formal talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, discussions will center on economic collaboration, border security, and strategic regional issues.
In remarks made before his departure from Tehran, Pezeshkian stressed that the key aim of his visit is to enhance economic cooperation. “We want to elevate trade ties and explore joint opportunities in cross-border commerce,” he stated. He also underscored the importance of boosting mutual trade to $10 billion and reiterated Iran’s interest in participating in CPEC — the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Political Adviser to the Iranian President, Mehdi Sanai, said the visit would feature engagements with Pakistani cultural figures and business leaders. “Iran and Pakistan share deep-rooted ties that go beyond politics, including economic, religious, and cultural cooperation,” he posted on X.
The visit also aims to increase bilateral trade, which currently stands at $3 billion, and promote collaboration at the provincial and border levels.
President Pezeshkian is the second Iranian president to visit Pakistan in under two years. His predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, visited Pakistan in April 2024, shortly before his passing in a tragic helicopter crash.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a reciprocal visit to Iran, meeting with both President Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Discussions at the time focused on strengthening economic ties, regional stability, and denouncing Israeli aggression in Gaza while advocating for a lasting ceasefire.
PM Shehbaz had also attended a memorial service in Iran for the late President Raisi in May 2024.
The current visit by President Pezeshkian is widely seen as a continuation of diplomatic efforts to elevate Iran-Pakistan relations amid changing regional dynamics.