Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday underscored the need to build on the understandings reached under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU), saying that it offered the only viable pathway towards enduring peace in the region. The prime minister made the remarks during his meeting with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek today, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) Meeting in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The prime minister emphasised the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. On June 18, the US and Iran reached a 14-point interim agreement, titled the "Islamabad MoU", aimed at halting the Middle East war. During the warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between both countries and emphasised the need to further strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual cooperation.

They also reviewed ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts, it added. Both the leaders also exchanged views on the evolving regional situation. While reaffirming that Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts for regional peace building, the PM stated that the recent visit of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran and his constructive engagements augured well in this regard.

President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan's consistent diplomatic efforts for regional peace and security. The Iranian President also underscored the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, rooted in centuries of shared history, culture, and faith, and reaffirmed Tehran's strong desire to further deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and other high officials were among the attendees of the meeting.