ISLAMABAD (Web-Desk); Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Pakistan starting Saturday, August 2, according to a report by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. The visit is taking place on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and marks Pezeshkian’s first trip to Pakistan since assuming office.
Political Adviser to the Iranian President, Mehdi Sanai, confirmed the development in a post on social media platform X, stating that Pezeshkian would hold high-level meetings with Pakistani officials and engage with members of the country’s cultural and commercial elite. The agenda includes enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as politics, trade, religion, and culture.
This upcoming visit will make Dr. Pezeshkian the second Iranian president to travel to Pakistan in as many years. His predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, paid a three-day visit to Pakistan in April 2024 — just weeks before his tragic death in a helicopter crash. Raisi’s visit had included stopovers in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, where he engaged in various bilateral and provincial-level discussions.
Initially, President Pezeshkian’s trip was scheduled for the last week of July but was later postponed to early August. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had hinted earlier this month that the visit would take place soon. Speaking to media in New York, Dar had emphasized Pakistan’s desire for diplomatic engagement with Iran and expressed hopes for strengthened bilateral ties.
According to Iranian officials, one of the core goals of the visit is to boost trade between the two neighboring nations, raising it from the current $3 billion. Discussions are also expected to focus on cross-border cooperation, infrastructure development, energy ties, and strategies to increase connectivity between the two countries — particularly between border provinces.
President Pezeshkian’s visit comes at a time when Pakistan is actively pursuing stronger regional alliances, especially with neighboring Islamic countries. PM Shehbaz Sharif himself visited Iran twice in recent months — once to offer condolences on the passing of President Raisi in May 2024, and earlier during his regional tour following tensions with India. During these visits, Shehbaz Sharif met senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to reiterate Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and solidarity.
In his recent comments, FM Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled stance on regional diplomacy, stating that the country advocates for dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes. He also condemned the recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, blaming both Israel and the United States for escalations. Dar stressed that Pakistan would continue to support efforts aimed at de-escalation in the region.
As President Pezeshkian prepares to visit Islamabad, the focus will likely remain on fostering goodwill, expanding economic cooperation, and aligning mutual interests in a volatile geopolitical landscape. Both nations see the visit as an opportunity to build on decades of historical, religious, and economic ties, while jointly addressing regional challenges including border security, sanctions impact, and the need for sustainable diplomacy.
