Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday paid homage to Pakistan’s national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal by laying a floral wreath at his mausoleum in Lahore.
Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, President Pezeshkian observed a moment of reflection at the historic site. The dignitaries also recorded their impressions in the visitors’ book.
President Pezeshkian arrived in Lahore earlier in the day on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, along with a high-level delegation. He was warmly received at the airport by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, and senior provincial officials.
Upon arrival, children presented bouquets to the Iranian leader, who expressed sympathy and gratitude toward them for their warm welcome. Security in Lahore was heightened in light of the visit, with major roads leading to the Iqbal Mausoleum and government guesthouses under strict surveillance.
According to the schedule, a state banquet will be held in his honour later today, while on Sunday, President Pezeshkian is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. The federal capital has been adorned with welcome banners and the national flags of both countries.
On Sunday, Dr Pezeshkian will travel to Islamabad where he will meet key leadership figures including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The two sides will hold discussions on political, economic, and regional issues.
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The streets of Islamabad have been decorated with national flags of both countries, along with welcome banners. Security has been tightened ahead of the visit, and all preparations to receive the Iranian delegation have been completed.
Pezeshkian vows to boost bilateral trade to $10bn
Before departing for Pakistan, Iranian President Pezeshkian expressed optimism about strengthening economic and strategic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking to the media ahead of his departure, Pezeshkian said both countries are committed to increasing bilateral trade volume to $10 billion annually.
Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between Iran and Pakistan, the Iranian president said that relations are well-established across economic, scientific, cultural, and border sectors. He emphasized that border markets and increased people-to-people contact could open new avenues of mutual cooperation.
President Pezeshkian noted that efforts are underway to achieve the ambitious $10 billion trade target, and both sides are exploring practical measures to accelerate this goal.
On broader regional connectivity, the Iranian leader expressed his country's desire to actively participate in Pakistan and China's One Belt One Road project. He expressed hope that this initiative could offer Iran an opportunity to establish stronger connections with European markets.
President Pezeshkian also stressed that border security and regional peace will be key items on the agenda during his Pakistan visit. He reaffirmed that any efforts to undermine Islamic unity between Iran and Pakistan will not succeed.
'New dimensions to relations between two countries'
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters the visit would help give a “new dimension” to relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries. He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had last visited Iran on May 26, 2025.
“This is Dr Pezeshkian’s first official visit to Pakistan. It comes at a critical time for the region. We hope it will further deepen mutual cooperation,” the spokesperson said.
Mehdi Sanai, Political Adviser to the Iranian President, said in a social media post that the visit would include meetings with cultural and business leaders in Pakistan. He emphasised that ties between the two countries cover political, economic, religious and cultural areas.
Iran and Pakistan currently have bilateral trade worth about $3 billion. Both countries are looking to increase this figure and strengthen cooperation in border provinces.
Pezeshkian is the second Iranian president to visit Pakistan in the last two years. His predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, visited Pakistan in April 2024 — one month before his death in a helicopter crash. President Pezeshkian also attended Raisi’s memorial ceremony in Tehran in May 2024, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Iranian leader’s visit to Pakistan follows months of tension in the region, including a brief conflict between Iran and Israel. Observers say the visit reflects Tehran’s renewed interest in strengthening ties with neighbouring countries amid growing international pressure and shifting alliances.
During Shehbaz Sharif’s own recent visit to Iran, both sides had agreed to enhance regional connectivity and promote trade. They also expressed concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Pakistan, which shares a long border with Iran, has repeatedly stated that it wants to play a constructive role in resolving regional disputes through diplomacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts during his meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
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