Iranian president lands in Pakistan with eye on trade, regional stability

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening political and economic ties, as the two neighbors navigate a rapidly evolving regional landscape marked by recent conflicts and shifting alliances.

The visit began in Lahore, where President Pezeshkian was received by former prime minister and ruling PML-N party founder Nawaz Sharif, along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz, the current Chief Minister of Punjab. The Iranian leader later travelled to Islamabad for the formal leg of his visit.

Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase in the capital, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team. This marks Pezeshkian’s first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office, and follows a series of high-level engagements between the two neighboring nations.

During the two-day visit, the Iranian president is scheduled to hold meetings with the country’s top leadership, including the president, prime minister, cabinet members, and other key officials. His engagements span both symbolic and substantive diplomacy, reflecting the mutual desire to upgrade bilateral cooperation.

Building on shared strategic goals

The visit comes at a pivotal moment for regional diplomacy. Just weeks ago, tensions spiked following a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel and a four-day standoff between Pakistan and India. In both instances, Islamabad and Tehran voiced strong support for each other’s sovereignty.

Pakistan recently expressed willingness to mediate in easing tensions between Iran and the United States, a move that underscores its broader diplomatic ambitions in the region.

In a statement before his departure, Pezeshkian described the relationship with Pakistan as “deep-rooted and friendly,” and emphasized the importance of working together on security, trade, and connectivity. “Through Pakistan, Iran can connect to the Silk Road linking China and Pakistan, and the route can then extend through Iran to Europe,” he noted.

High-level engagements and MoU signing

On Sunday, President Pezeshkian will be formally welcomed at the Prime Minister’s House, where he will receive a guard of honor. The day’s engagements will begin with a one-on-one meeting between the two leaders, followed by delegation-level talks to chart the next phase of bilateral cooperation.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Lahore as he begins his two-day visit to the country on Saturday. PID

A signing ceremony for multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Iran is also scheduled at the PM House, signaling the countries’ intent to deepen institutional and economic collaboration.

PM Sharif will host a formal luncheon in honor of the visiting president and his delegation.

Later in the day, Pezeshkian is expected to hold a key meeting with Pakistan’s top military commander. In the evening, he will arrive at Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidential Palace) to meet President Asif Ali Zardari. The state visit will conclude with a presidential dinner hosted by Zardari in honor of the Iranian delegation.

Economic focus: $10 billion trade ambition

Trade is a central pillar of the visit. Pezeshkian has reiterated Iran’s plan to increase annual bilateral trade with Pakistan to $10 billion — a target both nations agreed upon last year.

“Iran seeks to boost trade with Pakistan via land, air and sea. The existing trade relationship is good, but we must deepen it further,” Pezeshkian said, according to Iranian state media. He also highlighted regional security as a shared priority, stressing that cooperation - not confrontation - is essential for lasting peace.

Dar-Araghchi talks

On the sidelines of the presidential visit, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, regional stability, and other areas of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar meets Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.Foreign Office

The discussions, held in Islamabad, highlighted the growing momentum behind Pak-Iran ties and the shared desire to align their regional strategies.

Cross-border brotherhood: What the experts say

Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Pakistan's former ambassador to the US and founding executive director of the Centre for International Studies, called Pezeshkian’s visit “highly significant.”

“This is a follow-up to President Raisi’s visit last year and continues the tradition of strong high-level exchanges between close neighbors,” he told Nukta. “The timing is important - coming just after Iran-Israel hostilities - and indicates Iran’s interest in aligning regional peace and policy efforts with Pakistan.”

Former foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry echoed the sentiment, adding that the visit transcends symbolism.

“It comes at a time when both countries have just faced regional military flare-ups. In both cases, Iran and Pakistan stood their ground, politically and morally,” he said. “This camaraderie could solidify a new phase in bilateral relations, especially if Iran now views Pakistan as a steadfast strategic partner - even at forums like the UN.”

He also pointed to the potential for Iran-Pakistan cooperation to counterbalance Indian influence in Tehran. “Any space India might seek in Iran to use against Pakistan may now be firmly shut, strengthening Islamabad’s position in the region.”