Shehbaz Sharif meets Masoud Pezeshkian
Sharif and Pezeshkian Discuss Bilateral Relations in New York
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The leaders focused on strengthening bilateral relations amid ongoing regional conflicts. This meeting underscores the importance of diplomatic dialogue between Pakistan and Iran as they navigate shared challenges in their respective regions.
Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, special assistant to the prime minister Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials from both sides attended the meeting, according to a statement issued by Sharif’s office. Sharif expressed “deep concern” over the prolonged US-Iran conflict and called for restraint, de-escalation and sustained diplomatic engagement to secure lasting peace and stability in the region, his office said. The two leaders “reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran” and “underscored the need to further strengthen bilateral Cooperation across all areas of mutual Interest”, according to the PMO. Islamabad has consistently positioned itself as a mediator and has said it is seeking to facilitate diplomatic efforts while advocating restraint and de-escalation. Sharif “underscored the importance of building implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness “to continue playing sincere and constructive role in support of regional peace and stability”, his office said. Pezeshkian “appreciated Pakistan’s principled diplomacy and concerted efforts for regional peace and security”, according to the PMO.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi also accompanied Pezeshkian. The meeting came as the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel continues. Sharing a video of the meeting on X, the PMO said, “Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with the President of Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian today, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.