<\/p>\n
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s \u201cprincipled support for Iran\u2019s peace\u201d as President Masoud Pezeshkian paid a visit to Islamabad.<\/p>\n
The visiting dignitary was also welcomed at the Prime Minister House with a guard of honour and the two were set to hold a meeting. Pezeshkian is on an official visit to Pakistan at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s invitation.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was at the direct talks<\/a> held between the United States and Iran in Switzerland over the weekend, is also accompanying Pezeshkian during the visit.<\/p>\n In their meeting at Aiwan-i-Sadr, President Zardari welcomed his Iranian counterpart on his first state visit to Pakistan since the US-Iran war, the presidency said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe two leaders discussed bilateral relations, mainly regional peace and security, bilateral and regional connectivity, economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n President Zardari noted that the visit reflected the \u201clongstanding brotherly relations between the two countries and a desire to stay together in good and bad times\u201d.<\/p>\n He stressed that Pakistan has \u201cconsistently opposed one-sided initiatives and has supported dialogue and diplomacy as the means to achieve a durable and sustainable solution to regional and global challenges\u201d.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n He also underscored Pakistan\u2019s \u201ccommitment to preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah while maintaining strong fraternal relations with the countries of the Gulf region\u201d, the presidency said.<\/p>\n President Zardari congratulated Pezeshkian on the signing<\/a> of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding<\/a> between the United States and Iran and \u201cexpressed the hope that the ongoing technical-level negotiations would culminate in permanent peace in the region\u201d.<\/p>\n He reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s \u201cprincipled support for Iran\u2019s peace, stability, national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity\u201d.<\/p>\n The president again expressed his condolences on the \u201cmartyrdom of His Eminence Ali Hosseini Khamenei\u201d, who was assassinated<\/a> in US-Israeli strikes on Iran<\/a>, and said that Pakistan would participate in his funeral.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its \u201cpositive and constructive efforts in support of peace and dialogue and appreciated the support extended by Pakistan during [the] recent challenging circumstances\u201d, the presidency said.<\/p>\n The Iranian president said his country \u201cattaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and looks forward to further expanding cooperation in political, economic, security and regional matters\u201d<\/p>\n President Zardari requested President Pezeshkian to convey his warm regards to Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.<\/p>\n The Iranian president was accompanied by FM Araghchi, Chief of the President\u2019s Office Mohsen Haji Mirzaei, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Chief of Political Affairs of President\u2019s Office Saeed Abbas Mousavi and Iran\u2019s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam.<\/p>\n From the Pakistani side, Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman and former FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Senate Chief Whip Saleem Mandviwala and ex-senator Dr Asim Hussain were present during the meeting.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n At the PM House, President Pezeshkian planted a sapling in the lawn.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq were also expected to call on the Iranian president, according<\/a> to the Foreign Office (FO).<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s state media IRNA<\/em> reported that FM Araghchi held talks with President Zardari and PM Shehbaz \u201conly hours\u201d before Pezeshkian landed in Pakistan.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir called on the Iranian president, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.<\/p>\n They exchanged views on \u201cregional developments and peace initiatives\u201d, the ISPR said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n CDF Munir, along with PM Shehbaz, had participated in the US-Iran talks<\/a> in Switzerland, where they discussed a framework for regional peace.<\/p>\n Both leaders have been involved in efforts to secure peace in the Middle East after the US-Iran war erupted on February 28 as US-Israeli strikes hit Tehran.<\/p>\n During his meeting with the army chief, Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan\u2019s \u201cconstructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation, and regional stability\u201d, the ISPR said.<\/p>\n It added that he acknowledged Pakistan\u2019s \u201cconsistent efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of disputes and foster understanding among regional stakeholders at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges\u201d.<\/p>\n On his part, CDF Munir reiterated Pakistan\u2019s unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the region, the statement noted.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and maintaining close consultations on issues of mutual interest, with the shared objective of advancing peace, prosperity and stability across the region,\u201d it read.<\/p>\n Pezeshkian and Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on separate flights earlier in the day. The Iranian president flew to the federal capital from Iran, while the foreign minister\u2019s last engagement was in Oman.<\/p>\n President Pezeshkian, upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, was received by President Zardari, PM Shehbaz, Deputy PM Dar, Naqvi, Bilawal and Ambassador Moghaddam.<\/p>\n FM Araghchi, who had already landed in Pakistan, was also present to welcome his president.<\/p>\n Pezeshkian was accorded a 21-gun salute, while fighter jets conducted a flypast in his honour, state-run APP<\/em> reported. The president waved in response to the children\u2019s welcoming slogans, it added.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Upon his arrival at Rawalpindi\u2019s Nur Khan airbase earlier in the day, Araghchi was welcomed by Dar, Naqvi and Bilawal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe leadership and people of Pakistan extend a warm welcome to Foreign Minister Araghchi and the Iranian delegation to Islamabad,\u201d the FO said<\/a>.<\/p>\n In an earlier statement, the FO noted Pezeshkian\u2019s visit was his second to Pakistan in his capacity as the president of Iran.<\/p>\n It said the visit would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity.<\/p>\n It also termed the visit an \u201cimportant opportunity to discuss ongoing diplomatic engagements following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe forthcoming visit reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran to further deepen their historic and cultural ties and underscores their common aspiration for peace, stability, and sustainable progress in the region,\u201d the FO added.<\/p>\n The Islamabad High Court (IHC) also cancelled judicial work for Tuesday, due to the closure of the Red Zone for the Iranian president\u2019s visit. A notification issued by the IHC said that Tuesday\u2019s cause list had been cancelled, adding that officials were directed to work from home.<\/p>\n However, it added that district courts would function as per routine.<\/p>\n Similarly, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) also announced the suspension of judicial work at its principal seat in Islamabad due to the closure of the Red Zone in Islamabad.<\/p>\n \u201cConsequently, the cause list of the Court stands cancelled. However, all officers and staff shall work from home and shall not leave the station. Besides, all four branch registries of the court shall remain open for judicial and administrative work,\u201d the notification said.<\/p>\n Separately, the federal government issued a notification implementing a one-day \u201cwork from home\u201d directive for various ministries.<\/p>\n According to a notification issued by Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal, employees of ministries, divisions, and government offices located inside Islamabad\u2019s Red Zone will work remotely. Furthermore, autonomous bodies and attached departments operating within the Red Zone will observe a full holiday.<\/p>\n However, essential federal institutions and banks were exempted from this order. These included the Prime Minister\u2019s Office, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the Federal Board of Revenue, and the ministries of foreign affairs, interior, commerce, industries, law, parliamentary affairs, and planning division, alongside all federal banking institutions.<\/p>\n All bus terminals operating in the capital were closed <\/a>on Monday night as a security measure in view of the arrival of the Iranian president.<\/p>\n Officials of the capital administration and police said that the capital police, under directives from the capital administration, approached the managements of bus terminals in the capital, including those at Faizabad and Chongi No 26, and asked them to shut down their operations before midnight.<\/p>\n The managers were further asked to suspend their operations on Tuesday. The terminals will remain closed until the departure of the Iranian president. Besides, the Islamabad Red Zone has also been sealed as a security measure. Entry will be allowed only to concerned officials.<\/p>\n Further, Islamabad District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon ordered the immediate closure of all popular hiking routes in the city.<\/p>\n The restriction applies to Trail 2, Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5, and the hiking tracks located behind Saidpur Village, remaining effective from Tuesday until further notice.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Pezeshkian\u2019s visit follows key direct talks<\/u><\/a> \u2014 dubbed the \u201cLake Lucerne Summit\u201d \u2014 held between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, kicking off negotiations under the Islamabad MoU signed<\/u><\/a> on June 18.<\/p>\n Under the 14-point accord<\/u><\/a>, Washington and Tehran agreed on a framework to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz<\/u><\/a> and negotiate on key issues within 60 days of the signing.<\/p>\n The US-Iran talks in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock were mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir representing Pakistan.<\/p>\n The Lake Lucerne Summit created a mechanism for further technical talks, which will continue this week, and also set up communication lines to end the fighting in Lebanon and to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open.<\/p>\n \u201cEncouraging progress has been made,\u201d the mediators said in their joint statement, including a contact channel set up to \u201cavoid incidents and miscommunication\u201d in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n A \u201cde-confliction cell\u201d between the parties and the Lebanese authorities has also been agreed upon to prevent fighting from erupting again.<\/p>\n Additional input from APP<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>CDF Munir, Pezeshkian discuss \u2018peace initiatives\u2019<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Iran president, FM arrive<\/h2>\n
<\/a>IHC, FCC cancel judicial work; govt tells Red Zone employees to work from home<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Bus stands closed<\/h2>\n
<\/a>US-Iran talks in Switzerland<\/h2>\n
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