ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday clarified that ballistic missiles were neither discussed nor included in the agreement between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Without any fear of contradiction, ballistic missiles were never a subject of discussion between Iran and the United States. They were not mentioned in the MoU and were not on the table at all,” he told a joint press conference with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian following their delegation-level talks.
The premier said there should be no double standards regarding ballistic missiles, saying that Iran had the same right to have them as other countries. He argued that it was unfair for some countries to possess ballistic missiles while questioning Iran’s right to do the same.
He warned against misinformation designed to derail the peace process and vowed that Pakistan and Iran would protect the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from spoilers around the globe who were unhappy with the breakthrough achieved through the MoU.
“Pakistan and Iran will act as an iron wall against any forces seeking to undermine regional peace, saying there was no dearth of spoilers around the globe who are unhappy with the breakthrough achieved through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” the prime minister told a joint press conference with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian following their delegation-level talks.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and members of the federal cabinet also participated in the talks.
The prime minister stressed that both countries were fully determined to resist such attempts poised to undermine the peace efforts. “President Masoud Pezeshkian and I are completely resolved to remain iron walls against those spoilers,” he said, adding there was no dearth of spoilers around the globe who were disappointed over this truce that can lead to lasting peace and prosperity and create unnecessary doubts and confusion.
Shehbaz described his discussions with Pezeshkian as very productive and held in a highly cordial atmosphere. “It was like a family reunion, and brothers were talking to each other with the fullest clarity and total commitment that we will do everything to strengthen our brotherly relations like never before,” he said.
He welcomed the successful conclusion of the Islamabad MoU signed last week between the United States and Iran. “It is a matter of great happiness that this war has come to an end, which could have engulfed the entire region and beyond,” he said.
The prime minister praised President Pezeshkian’s leadership and highlighted Pakistan’s role as an honest and sincere mediator in facilitating peace efforts.
He also announced that he would visit Tehran next week to pay respects to the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and reaffirm Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Iran. He noted that Pakistan and Iran had consistently stood by each other during difficult times and that recent developments had once again demonstrated the enduring strength of their friendship and partnership. He termed the Islamabad MoU as a historic moment in Pakistan-Iran relations.
The prime minister also paid tribute to Iran’s resilience during recent challenges, extending condolences over the loss of thousands of lives and expressing Pakistan’s unwavering support. “Your happiness is our happiness. Your sorrow is our sorrow. Iran’s success is our success, and Iran’s loss is our loss,” he said, adding that the people of Pakistan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their Iranian brothers and sisters.
He thanked the Iranian leadership for placing its trust in Pakistan to facilitate the peace process and commended both Iranian and American delegations for their constructive participation in technical talks held in Switzerland. He also acknowledged the support of regional leaders, including Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for encouraging peace efforts.
In his remarks, President Pezeshkian described Pakistan as not merely a neighbouring country but a brotherly nation bound to Iran through deep historical, cultural and religious ties.
Quoting verses of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, whom he referred to as “Iqbal Lahori,” the Iranian president said the poet’s message of unity among Muslim nations remained as relevant as ever. “The two nations do not merely live next to each other; they share a common destiny in their aspirations, concerns and hopes,” he said.
President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s sincere and responsible role in promoting peace and thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, parliamentarians and the people of Pakistan for standing with Iran throughout the recent conflict. “Without these efforts, we would not have been here today,” he remarked.
The Iranian president said he had held constructive meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and Field Marshal Asim Munir, during which both the sides agreed to use the positive momentum to usher in a new era of cooperation and development. He emphasized that peace, stability and prosperity in the region could only be achieved through respectful dialogue and mutual understanding, while calling for a stronger regional security framework based on friendship and cooperation.
President Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s missile capability was solely for national defence and had never been part of the negotiations.
Earlier, President Pezeshkian arrived at the PM House where PM Shehbaz Sharif warmly received him. A smartly turned-out contingent of tri-services presented a guard of honour to the visiting dignitary. Pakistan Air Force fighter jets accorded a spectacular aerial welcome to the Iranian president upon his arrival in Pakistan on an official visit. As the Iranian president’s aircraft entered the Pakistani airspace, it was received by a special PAF escort squadron. A six-aircraft formation comprising JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets accompanied the presidential aircraft, offering a ceremonial salute in honour of the distinguished guest.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Iran’s President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties and regional peace. Pezeshkian met Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, mainly regional peace and security, bilateral and regional connectivity, economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.
The Iranian president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Chief of the President’s Office Mohsen Haji Mirzaei, Minister of Interior Eskandar Momeni, Saeed Abbas Mousavi, Chief of Political Affairs of President’s Office, and Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam. From the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Chief Whip Senate Saleem Mandviwala and Dr Asim Hussain were present.
Zardari welcomed Pezeshkian on his state visit to Pakistan after the recent conflict and noted that the visit reflects the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries and a desire to stay together in both good and bad times.
He congratulated President Pezeshkian on the signing of Islamabad MoU and hoped that the ongoing technical-level negotiations would culminate in permanent peace in the region. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for Iran’s peace, stability, national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said Pakistan has consistently opposed one-sided initiatives and supported dialogue and diplomacy as the means to achieve a durable and sustainable solution to regional and global challenges.
He underscored Pakistan’s commitment to preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah while maintaining strong fraternal relations with the countries of the Gulf region. He once again expressed condolences on the martyrdom of Ali Hosseini Khamenei and said Pakistan would participate in his funeral.
The Iranian president thanked Pakistan for its positive and constructive efforts in support of peace and dialogue and appreciated the support extended by Pakistan during the recent challenging circumstances. He said Iran attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and looks forward to further expanding cooperation in political, economic, security and regional matters. Zardari requested Pezeshkian to convey his warm regards to Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei.
Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also had a meeting with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.
According to the ISPR, the meeting discussed regional developments and peace initiatives.
The Iranian president appreciated Pakistan’s constructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue and Pakistan’s role in de-escalation and regional stability.
The Iranian president also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict. He appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to enhance reconciliation among regional stakeholders.
During the meeting, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the region. Both the leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations, Geo News reported.
The meeting also reaffirmed the commitment to maintain close consultation on matters of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan conferred an honorary fellowship in cardiac surgery upon President Pezeshkian. The fellowship was conferred on Iranian president in recognition of his contributions to public health services, medical education, medical research and his dedicated service to society.
