Tianjin, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a significant meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of States Council Meeting in Tianjin, China, where he also addressed the summit to highlight Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, dialogue, and connectivity.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and federal ministers. Both leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations, expressing satisfaction with the positive momentum in Pakistan-Iran ties across diverse sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep commitment to its historic and brotherly ties with Iran, emphasizing shared history, cultural heritage, and faith as the strong foundations of the relationship. He recalled President Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Pakistan in August 2025, terming it “very helpful” in further strengthening the bilateral partnership.
President Pezeshkian, in turn, appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support and reiterated Iran’s determination to enhance collaboration in multiple areas of mutual interest. He also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property in the devastating floods in Pakistan, assuring that the Government and people of Iran stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Pakistan during this difficult time.
Call for Dialogue and Regional Stability
Addressing the SCO summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz underscored Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, peace, and dialogue, urging the organization to initiate a comprehensive and structured dialogue to address longstanding disputes in South Asia.
“Pakistan has always believed in the power of multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy, and shunning unilateralism,” he said, expressing concern over the region’s recent instability.
On regional security, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, including what he termed “state terrorism.” He recalled Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the fight against extremism, noting that the country has lost over 90,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $152 billion. He also pointed to the involvement of foreign elements in recent terror incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel’s aggression against Iran, a fellow SCO member, and called for an immediate end to the bloodshed in Gaza. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the two-state solution with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of Palestine.
Afghanistan, Climate Change, and Economic Recovery
On Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan supports a peaceful and stable neighbor, noting that trilateral cooperation between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan could yield positive results for regional stability.
He also highlighted the devastating impact of recent floods in Pakistan, thanking the international community, particularly China, for their solidarity and assistance.
Despite these challenges, Prime Minister Shehbaz noted that Pakistan was on a path of economic recovery, citing reduced inflation, a current account surplus, and a buoyant capital market. He outlined Pakistan’s transformation strategy built on three pillars: export-led growth, foreign investment in key sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, IT, AI, minerals, and energy, and comprehensive tax reforms.
Underscoring the role of Pakistan’s youth, he said the government was creating new opportunities for innovation and meaningful employment, turning the young population into a national asset.
CPEC and Regional Connectivity
Lauding China’s leadership of the SCO under President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister praised initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the flagship of regional connectivity.
“Expansion of the CPEC can serve as a practical demonstration of SCO’s vision for regional connectivity and economic integration,” he said, calling for efficient land, air, and rail corridors to strengthen regional supply chains.
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz extended felicitations to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on their national days and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the SCO’s vision of peace, prosperity, and shared development.
