ISLAMABAD, Jun 23 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed that Pakistan and Iran would act as an iron wall against any forces seeking to undermine regional peace, saying there was no dearth of spoilers around the globe who were unhappy with the breakthrough achieved through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The prime minister, addressing a joint press stakeout along with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian following their delegation-level talks, stressed that both countries were fully determined to resist such attempts poised to undermine the peace efforts.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz, President Pezeshkian is on a state-visit to Pakistan, accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers and other high-ranking officials.
“There is no dearth of spoilers around the globe who are deeply dejected over this truce that can lead to lasting peace and prosperity and create unnecessary doubts and confusion,” the Prime Minister said. “President Masoud Pezeshkian and I are completely resolved to remain iron walls against those spoilers.”
The Prime Minister described his discussions with President 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 remarked.
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.
Calling the occasion a historic moment in Pakistan-Iran relations, PM Shehbaz 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.
PM Shehbaz 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.
The prime minister 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 Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Field Marshal Asim Munir, during which both 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.
Both leaders also highlighted the need to expand trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts, expressing confidence that the strong political will on both sides would elevate Pakistan-Iran relations to new heights.
During a question-and-answer session, both leaders categorically rejected reports suggesting that Iran’s ballistic missile programme was discussed as part of the Islamabad MoU.
President Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s missile capability was solely for national defence and had never been part of the negotiations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also clarified that ballistic missiles were neither discussed nor included in the agreement.
“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 said.
He warned against misinformation designed to derail the peace process and reiterated that Pakistan and Iran would continue working together to ensure the success of the peace initiative and regional stability.
Later, the two leaders warmly embraced each other, symbolising the close and enduring bonds between the two neighbouring countries.
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