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Naqvi holds high-stakes tehraN talks as PakistaN Pushes us-iraN Peace Thursday, 21 May, 2026 | 4 Zilhaj, 1447
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INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS IRANIAN PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN DURING SECOND TEHRAN VISIT IN FIVE DAYS
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ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN sAleem JAdooN
AKISTAN’S Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday held high-level meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior Iranian officials during his second visit to Tehran in less than a week, as Islamabad intensified diplomatic efforts to help broker peace amid fears of renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran. Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for talks with Iranian leadership, according to Iran’s state news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). The visit comes days after his previous trip to Iran over the weekend, which was also aimed at facilitating dialogue and reducing tensions in the region. A brief statement shared on Naqvi’s official WhatsApp channel confirmed the meeting with the Iranian president, while video footage released by IRNA showed the Pakistani minister greeting President Pezeshkian before holding talks in the presence of senior officials. Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a key diplomatic intermediary since the conflict escalated following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28, which triggered Iranian retaliation and caused disruptions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy corridor through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit. Although a fragile ceasefire announced on April 8 remains in place, negotiations between Washington and Tehran have largely remained stalled after an initial round of direct talks in Islamabad, with disagreements over Iran’s ura-
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ALSO HOLDS TALKS WITH IRGC CHIEF AHMAD VAHIDI AND INTERIOR MINISTER MOMENI AMID FEARS OF RENEWED US-IRAN TENSIONS
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PAKISTAN-LED DIPLOMACY ENTERS ‘CRITICAL PHASE’ AS FRESH US PROPOSAL REACHES TEHRAN
IRAN CONFIRMS NEGOTIATIONS WITH WASHINGTON CONTINUING THROUGH PAKISTANI MEDIATORS
nium enrichment programme and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz continuing to hinder progress. Earlier, IRNA reported that Naqvi also held talks with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni shortly after arriving in Tehran. The two sides discussed the evolving regional security situation, border management and matters relating to internal security cooperation. “Detailed discussions were held on the latest regional developments during the meeting,” the Iranian news agency said.
NAQVI MEETS IRGC CHIEF IN TEHRAN: Separately, state broadcaster PTV
News reported that Naqvi also met Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Ahmad Vahidi in Tehran as part of the highlevel diplomatic engagement. According to multiple Pakistani government sources cited by Anadolu, Naqvi’s latest visit was linked to discussions surrounding a “fresh” US proposal aimed at ending the lingering Middle East conflict. The sources said Pakistan-led mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran had entered a “critical phase,” with Islamabad seeking to revive stalled negotiations and pave the way for another round of direct talks. During his meeting with Gen Vahidi, Naqvi discussed efforts to restart diplomatic engagement between the two sides, according to Pakistan’s interior ministry. Pakistani officials said the minister was also expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior Iranian officials to discuss the latest developments and exchange views on the new US proposal. Government sources said prospects for a second round of direct negotiations in Islamabad had improved in recent days following several diplomatic developments, including US President Donald Trump’s reported decision to postpone planned strikes on Iran. “Currently, Pakistan’s top priority is to further strengthen the ceasefire and persuade both sides to hold another round of direct talks,” the sources said.
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 56 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM reaffirms unwavering support for China, eyes stronger CPEC push ahead of Beijing visit
ISLAMABAD
AsAd NizAmi
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for China’s core interests and reiterated Islamabad’s firm commitment to ensuring the success of the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying he was “greatly looking forward” to his upcoming official visit to China scheduled from May 23–26. The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with a highlevel Chinese parliamentary delegation led by National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Vice Chairman Cai Dafeng, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Office, according to an official statement issued by the PM’s Office. The delegation is visiting Pakistan to participate in celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. Welcoming the Chinese dignitary, the prime minister described the bilateral relationship as a “historic, timetested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” rooted in deep mutual trust, strategic convergence and shared aspirations for regional peace and development, the PMO said. Call on the Prime Minister by Vice Chairman of the Standing Com-
mittee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), Mr. Cai Dafeng. He said that over the past 75 years, Pakistan and China had built a unique and resilient bond of friendship, strengthened by consistent support on core national interests and close coordination on regional and global issues. The meeting was attended by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, the PM Office statement added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed warm greetings to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, while reiterating Pakistan’s full support for China’s core interests and expressing gratitude for Beijing’s consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He described CPEC as a transformative initiative for Pakistan’s socio-economic development and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to advance the next phase of the project with a focus on agriculture, information technology, industry and the mining sector.
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