Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is set to travel to Tehran on July 30 to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s newly elected President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian. This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepen leadership-level engagement and enhance bilateral cooperation.
According to a press briefing held by the Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday, the prime minister’s visit comes at the invitation of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament. This move reflects the strong diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Iran and their mutual interest in fostering a robust partnership.
Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian won the recent presidential election in Iran, succeeding President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash earlier this year. The inauguration ceremony will mark the formal beginning of Pezeshkian’s tenure as President of Iran. The event is scheduled to take place on July 30, 2024, and is expected to be a significant occasion in Iranian politics.
The participation of Prime Minister Sharif in this high-profile event highlights Pakistan’s diplomatic strategy of engaging directly with regional partners to solidify relationships and promote stability. The FO emphasized that the visit would provide an opportunity to reinforce bilateral ties and discuss key areas of mutual interest.
FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch noted that this visit “attests to the commitment by the two countries to strengthen leadership-level engagement and bilateral cooperation.” Such high-level exchanges are crucial for maintaining and enhancing diplomatic relations in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
In a related development, Pakistan has expressed strong support for the recent ‘Declaration of Unity’ among Palestinian political factions, which was facilitated in Beijing. The FO praised China’s role in bringing the Palestinian groups together for meaningful negotiations, a significant step towards resolving internal divisions.
“We recognize and commend China’s role in bringing the factions together for meaningful negotiations,” Baloch said. This endorsement reflects Pakistan’s broader stance on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the importance of Palestinian unity in light of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has reiterated its call for immediate international intervention to address the “illegal and incessant aggression in Gaza.” The statement underscored the urgency of halting the violence and highlighted the severe impact on the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza.
The FO also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. This includes advocating for their right to return to Palestine and the establishment of an independent homeland with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The backdrop of these diplomatic moves is the complex and often volatile situation in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional tensions continue to challenge international diplomacy. Pakistan’s stance on these issues is part of a larger effort to promote peace and stability in the region.
The visit of Prime Minister Sharif to Tehran and the support for Palestinian unity are both significant components of Pakistan’s foreign policy strategy. They reflect an approach that seeks to balance regional engagement with broader global concerns.
