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Wednesday, 24 June, 2026 | 8 Muharram, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 90 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PEZESHKIAN ENDS VISIT WITH ‘HAND OF FRIENDSHIP’ FOR NEW REGIONAL SECURITY ARCHITECTURE g
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IRANIAN PRESIDENT CALLS FOR UNITED MUSLIM FRONT, STRESSING PAK-IRAN POTENTIAL, LEADERSHIP RESOLVE AND NATIONS SUPPORT, CAN TURN TIES INTO MODEL OF BROTHERHOOD
LAUDS PAKISTAN’S HONEST MEDIATION AND STEADFAST SUPPORT DURING RECENT CRISIS, CONFIRMING MISSILE PROGRAMME EXCLUDED FROM MOU
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ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
RESIDENT of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday called for a “united front” among Muslim nations and extended “hands of friendship” for the creation of a new regional security architecture, while lauding Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and stability and thanking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Islamabad’s mediation efforts during the recent crisis. Praising Pakistan’s support during
difficult times, the Iranian president said the Pakistani nation had demonstrated “strength and support” for Iran and had remained “honest and adamant” in its efforts to advance peace and dialogue. President Pezeshkian made the remarks during a one-day official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The two leaders held a one-on-one meeting at the Prime Minister House, followed by delegation-level talks. Addressing a joint press conference alongside the prime minister, President Pezeshkian said he had held “constructive meetings and discussions” with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Presi-
pakistan kept peace process alive despite ‘spoilers’ attempts to sabotage peace deal: dar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said the Bürgenstock talks between the United States and Iran could have commenced several days earlier, but Israel’s attack on Lebanon derailed the diplomatic momentum and temporarily halted progress, asserting that Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic efforts ultimately succeeded in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table despite attempts by “spoilers” to sabotage the peace process. “Heavy bombing in Lebanon immediately following the signing of the MoU was a clear provocation by spoilers intending to make the parties pause,” Dar said in an interview with Al Arabiya English. He emphasized that negotiations in Switzerland could have begun earlier had the attack not disrupted the diplomatic trajectory. The foreign minister said the talks in Bürgenstock represented the second phase of a broader diplomatic process and involved three technical working groups focusing on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and the unfreezing of assets, and the situation in Lebanon. Dar told the interviewer that the diplomatic breakthrough followed an intensive 21-hour marathon session of direct talks between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad on April 10 and 11, marking the first direct dialogue between the two countries in 47 years. He said the framework agreed by the parties established a 30-day timeline for completing specific technical matters and a 60-day overall timeframe for finalizing the bulk of a comprehensive agreement, with provisions for extension through mutual consent. “It is a very well-thought-out document, acceptable to both the parties,” he remarked. Dar said a key component of the understanding guaranteed the unhindered resumption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating Pakistan’s position that conditions should fully return to the status quo that existed before February 28, when the conflict began.
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PM SHEHBAZ SAYS ISLAMABAD AND TEHRAN SHARE EACH OTHER’S JOYS AND SORROWS, ANNOUNCES TEHRAN VISIT TO REITERATE SOLIDARITY WITH IRANIAN PEOPLE AND LEADERSHIP
WARNS OF ‘SPOILERS’ ATTEMPTING TO DERAIL EMERGING PEACE FRAMEWORK AS BOTH SIDES PLEDGE TO OPEN A NEW CHAPTER IN BILATERAL TIES
dent Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. “In these discussions, we had many good points talks and discussed regarding the latest developments in the region and in the world and also regarding bilateral relations,” he said. The Iranian president noted that the two neighbouring countries were determined to utilize the positive atmosphere to usher in a new era of bilateral cooperation. “We are adamant to use the positive existing atmosphere to usher in a new era and open a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the two countries and
draw new horizons and new opportunities of cooperation based on shared interests,” he said. President Pezeshkian said Iran firmly believed that peace, stability, sustainable security, development and prosperity in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region could only be achieved through sincere dialogue, regional cooperation and engagement based on mutual respect. “Based on this fact, we stretch our hands of friendship to establish a common understanding and build a new security structure for the countries in the region,” he said.
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iranian president’s visit highlights pakistan’s diplomatic role, regional peace efforts RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD SALEEM JADOON
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday called on the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, during which both sides exchanged views on regional developments and initiatives aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s constructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation and regional stability. He also acknowledged Islamabad’s consistent efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of disputes and foster understanding among regional stakeholders amid heightened geopolitical challenges. Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, the ISPR statement said. The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations and maintain close consultations on matters of mutual interest, with the shared objective of advancing peace, prosperity and stability across the region.
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