The world knows that Iran was the first country to recognize
Pakistan’s independence in 1947 and open its embassy in Karachi, which was then
the capital of Pakistan. Likewise, Pakistanis were the first to officially
recognize the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.
The people of both countries share cultural, linguistic,
historical, and religious ties, and have supported each other in both bitter
and sweet moments throughout history. The cultural commonalities between the
two nations are such that citizens of either country do not feel estranged or
alien when traveling to the neighboring country.
In Tehran, prominent places such as Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Highway and Pakistan Street exist. Likewise, in major Pakistani cities,
including Karachi, street signs bearing names like Iran Avenue and streets
named after Iranian poets like Ferdowsi, Saadi, Hafez, Khayyam, and others can
be found.
Islamabad, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
hosted Dr. Pezeshkian, President of Iran, and his accompanying delegation from
August 02 to 03, 2025. This was, in fact, Pezeshkian’s first official visit to
Pakistan since winning Iran’s 14th presidential election.
It is worth noting that in April 2024, the martyred Ayatollah
Raisi also made a three-day visit to Pakistan, including the cities of Lahore,
Karachi, and Islamabad, where he was warmly welcomed by the people and
officials of that country. Following the helicopter crash and martyrdom of
Ayatollah Raisi and his companions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan,
along with other officials, traveled to Tehran to pay their respects and attend
the memorial ceremony.
In May of this year, Shehbaz Sharif once again visited
Tehran to express his gratitude for Iran’s stance regarding the India-Pakistan
war. Therefore, Dr. Pezeshkian’s recent visit was in response to Shehbaz
Sharif’s invitation and, essentially, a reciprocation of his visit to Tehran.
Dr. Pezeshkian began his official visit in Lahore, the
capital of Punjab province, by paying respects at the mausoleum of Allama
Iqbal, the Pakistani philosopher and poet. It is said that over 8,000 verses of
Iqbal’s poetry comprising 70% of his total works are written in Persian.
During
the continuation of the visit in Islamabad, the Iranian delegation met with the
Prime Minister, President, Foreign Minister, Army Chief, Speakers of the Senate
and National Assembly, and Pakistani business community, seeking to implement
the "Neighbor First" policy in practice.
The current volume of annual trade between the two countries
is about US$3 billion, yet many economic and commercial potentials remain
untapped. During this recent visit, 12 cooperation agreements were signed in
areas such as transportation, science and technology, tourism, and free trade,
which, if implemented, could significantly boost bilateral relations.
One indicator of strong political relations is the frequent
travel of officials between countries. In less than two years, top officials
from Iran and Pakistan have visited each other’s countries four times, not
including the meetings held on the sidelines of key regional and international
summits. These frequent meetings highlight the close bond and significance of
the relationship particularly now, when there is a growing need to expand
cooperation.
Over the past few decades, Iran-Pakistan relations have
enjoyed relative stability, and mutual visits and exchanges between officials
have been a regular occurrence. What gives special importance to the recent
presidential visit to Pakistan is the unique political situation and the
developments that have taken place in recent months in South and West Asia and
even globally.
The four-day war between India and Pakistan in May 2025, as
two nuclear powers, created a highly sensitive situation in the region.
Although brief, the consequences of this conflict continue to affect both
countries and the broader region and world.
Additionally, the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza have
significantly influenced global politics. In this context, the stances of
Islamic countries such as Iran and Pakistan are of great importance. Tehran and
Islamabad have consistently adopted shared, firm positions and have emphasized
full support for the Palestinian cause. The 12-day imposed war by Israel on
Iran drastically altered the geopolitics of the region and the Islamic world.
Pakistan’s
positions as one of the largest and most influential Muslim nations and a
nuclear power have been crucial, and the Iranian public and officials have
always appreciated Pakistan’s brave and brotherly stance.
Islamabad's officials have expressed their appreciation, in
various ways, for Iran’s goodwill and initiative in offering to mediate between
the two countries, and for the highly important visit of Iran’s Foreign
Minister Dr. Araghchi to Pakistan and India to reduce the tensions.
A key factor linking Iran and Pakistan’s foreign policies is
the sensitivity of public opinion in both nations toward the Palestinian issue
and their mutual opposition to Zionist occupation and crimes in Gaza. This
shared stance is rooted in the principled policies laid down by the founding
leaders of both nations, Imam Khomeini and Muhammad Ali Jinnah and continues
today. Currently, there is deep concern over the joint illegal actions of the
Zionist regime and the United States against Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the
potential for similar scenarios to be repeated elsewhere.
The condemnation of the Zionist regime’s aggressive attack
on Iran by Pakistan’s permanent representative at the UN Security Council, as a
non-permanent member and rotating president, was well-received. Pakistan’s
support for dialogue and negotiation and its affirmation of Iran’s right to
nuclear knowledge were also reflected in the joint press conference held by
Shehbaz Sharif and Dr. Pezeshkian.
Iranian and Pakistani officials have come to a shared
understanding that the 900 plus km border between the two nations should
transition from being a security border to an economic one. The two sides have
created joint mechanisms to improve coordination in the fight against
terrorism. There exists an ocean of untapped potential in both countries, which
requires serious political will to activate. The travel of hundreds of
thousands of Pakistani pilgrims as part of religious tourism is one such
opportunity.
Currently, two land borders at Rimdan and Mirjaveh are
operational, facilitating travel for tourists and traders. Strengthening
infrastructure is essential for increasing travel between the two peoples.
People-to-people ties and citizen interactions can play a critical role in
raising awareness of each other’s capabilities.
Meeting mutual needs given that the two economies complement
each other should be a top priority for private sectors and businesspeople in
both nations. Much of what Iran imports from other countries is easily
accessible in Pakistan, and Pakistan exports goods that Iranians also import
from various sources.
Pakistan can meet many of its needs through Iranian
producers and benefit from the proximity and low logistics costs. There is an
urgent need to upgrade the joint Iran-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce to play a
more significant role.
An Iranian proverb says, “A good neighbor is better than a
distant relative.” Pakistan is both a good neighbor and a good relative and we
Iranians are grateful for this valued neighbor.
Courtesy: Tehran Times
