Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has assured him that he will visit Pakistan at the first opportunity, as Islamabad prepares to send a delegation to Iran on July 3 and 4.
Addressing the National Assembly on Friday, the prime minister said Pakistan and Iran are not just neighbours but brotherly Islamic countries, adding that the Pakistani nation is ready to warmly welcome the Iranian president.
Prime Minister Sharif said he held a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday.
According to the prime minister, the Iranian president thanked Pakistan for its full support during the recent crisis and also expressed gratitude to Field Marshal Asim Munir and the entire Pakistani nation.
Shehbaz said he invited the Iranian president to visit Pakistan, and Pezeshkian promised that he would come at the first available opportunity.
Pakistan to attend Khamenei’s funeral
The prime minister said Iran has invited Pakistan to attend the funeral prayers of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei on July 3 and 4. He assured the Iranian president that a Pakistani delegation would travel to Iran to attend the funeral.
Shehbaz said the visit would send a strong message to the world that Pakistan and Iran share deep brotherly and Islamic ties.
The prime minister said many nations spend centuries trying to achieve such honour and dignity, adding that Pakistan’s name is now being heard across the world with respect.
“Yesterday, Allah bestowed upon us immense honour, and the entire House deserves congratulations,” he said.
He urged the opposition and allied parties to come together and thank Allah, saying that a unanimous resolution would send a message of unity and agreement from Islamabad.
Shehbaz said political differences have their place, but on matters of national unity, Pakistan must stand together before the world.
Field Marshal Asim Munir’s role
Prime Minister Sharif paid special tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying he played the most important role in establishing peace.
He said the field marshal spent sleepless nights and worked tirelessly for the sake of peace, adding that major problems had been solved through collective effort.
The PM said Asim Munir was eager to give credit to the nation and had no desire to take credit for himself.
Shehbaz also praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for his contribution to the diplomatic effort. He paid tribute to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and congratulated Abdul Aleem Khan, Ijazul Haq, Bilawal Bhutto, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Khalid Magsi.
The prime minister said the success belonged to the nation and to all those who had played a role in advancing peace.
Petrol prices to be significantly reduced
Turning to the economy, Shehbaz Sharif said oil prices had started falling rapidly after the ceasefire. He said when the war broke out, oil prices had hiked significantly, leading to a sharp rise in inflation and creating serious pressure on the public.
The prime minister said the government had taken steps to protect people from the storm of inflation. He expressed hope that oil prices would fall further and said the government would announce weekly petroleum prices today.
According to the prime minister, a significant reduction in petrol prices will be announced.
PM says progress and prosperity are near
Shehbaz Sharif said the fall in oil prices would help ease inflationary pressure and provide relief to the people. He added that after difficult times, the “sun of progress and prosperity” was now about to rise.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s diplomatic role, regional peace efforts and expected economic relief had created a moment of national confidence and unity.
He also said he was grateful to the provinces for their unwavering support of the federation.
"Friendly countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, and others, played a significant role in helping secure the ceasefire. I am deeply thankful to Almighty Allah for the honour, respect, and international standing that Pakistan has achieved," he stated.
