Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for his first official two-day visit. He was received in Lahore with a warm welcome and visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal to pay tribute. A high-level Iranian delegation is accompanying him. Later today, he will travel to Islamabad for key meetings with Pakistan’s leadership.
President Pezeshkian is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq this evening. His agenda includes talks on expanding trade, strengthening border security, and enhancing cooperation in energy, transport, and regional infrastructure. He is also expected to meet with senior government and military officials during the trip.
Speaking to media before departing Iran, the president said his visit focuses on growing economic ties with Pakistan. He stressed the need to open new trade routes and border markets. His goal is to raise the annual trade volume between the two countries to $10 billion. He believes economic cooperation will help bring long-term regional peace.
The president also expressed strong interest in joining Pakistan and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He said the project could provide Iran a strategic route to European markets and enhance connectivity between the Gulf, South Asia, and Central Asia. Iran views CPEC as an opportunity for inclusive regional development.
Pezeshkian added that efforts to damage Islamic unity between Pakistan and Iran would not succeed. He emphasized that both nations share deep religious, cultural, and historical ties. He said cooperation, not division, is the way forward, and Iran remains fully committed to working with Pakistan for lasting peace and prosperity in the region.