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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told an Iranian delegation that Pakistan supports restraint and dialogue in West Asia. The meeting highlighted Islamabad's bid to prevent further conflict while deepening security and trade cooperation with Tehran.
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Islamabad,UPDATED: Jul 21, 2026 21:32 IST
Pakistan on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the recent escalation in West Asia and asked all sides to show restraint, saying it would continue to act as an "honest and sincere mediator and facilitator" for regional peace and stability.
The message was conveyed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting in Islamabad with a high-level Iranian delegation led by Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. The visit also included separate talks between Momeni and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on regional and bilateral security, matters of mutual interest and border management.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif urged all sides to refrain from actions that could further destabilise the region. "While emphasising that Pakistan would continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's strong commitment to regional peace and stability," it said.
Pakistan, which previously mediated a ceasefire between the US and Iran, is also trying to prevent the collapse of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last month between the two countries. The Islamabad MoU is a 14-point interim peace deal aimed at ending the war between Iran and the US.
During the meeting, Sharif recalled his visit to Tehran earlier this month to attend the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and conveyed his good wishes for Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, the statement said.
Momeni thanked Sharif for the warm welcome and conveyed greetings and best wishes from the Iranian leadership. He said he was leading a delegation of senior government officials to strengthen bilateral ties and expressed deep appreciation for the Pakistani leadership for its "untiring mediation efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding".
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.
In Rawalpindi, Momeni separately met Munir at General Headquarters. The army said the two sides discussed mutual interests, regional and bilateral security, and effective border management. It added that the Iranian side appreciated Pakistan's consistent diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, encourage de-escalation and serve as an anchor for peace. "The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and promote mutual prosperity," the army said.
Momeni's visit comes as the situation in West Asia has worsened due to continued US attacks against Iran, with Tehran hitting American interests in the region in retaliation. Despite the heavy bombing campaign, it is believed that mediators, including Pakistan, were making efforts behind the scenes to arrange a halt in the attacks and begin negotiations between the two sides.
Earlier in the day, Momeni laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhda, where he was briefed about the monument, and a smartly turned-out contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour. He also visited the Shakarparian Park area, a small hilltop near Islamabad's Zero-Point, to view the city.
After arriving in Pakistan, Momeni said Pakistan and Iran should expand cross-border transport capacity to help meet a USD 10 billion trade target. He said both countries wanted to more than triple annual bilateral trade from USD 3 billion to USD 10 billion and that the visit was aimed at "developing relations and following up on agreements reached during President Masoud Pezeshkian's trip to Pakistan about one month ago".
"Creating the necessary conditions on both sides of the border will be a main focus of discussions on this trip," Momeni said, adding that regional developments would also be on the agenda. Pakistan and Iran share a 900-kilometre border, and both sides have been trying to use that proximity to expand trade as well as cultural and religious links.
The visit underlined Pakistan's effort to back de-escalation in West Asia while also pushing closer security coordination and stronger trade ties with Iran.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 21, 2026 21:32 IST
