Iranian president to arrive in Pakistan today on official visit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian would arrive in Pakistan today on an official visit in the wake of the recent Iran-US war and Islamabad’s role in facilitating diplomatic efforts that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The visit came days after Iran and the US signed the Islamabad MoU, a framework agreement aimed at ending months of conflict and creating a pathway towards a comprehensive settlement. Pakistan played a central mediating role in the diplomatic process that led to the agreement. ایران کے صدر ڈاکٹر مسعود پزشکیان آج پاکستان کا دورہ کر رہے ہیں#MasoudPezeshkian #CDFForGlobalStability #CDFGlobalPeacemaker #PakistanForPeace #CDFLedTheWayToPeace #CDFAsimMunir pic.twitter.com/kQst8SVfEd — APP (@appcsocialmedia) June 23, 2026 During the visit, Pezeshkian is expected to hold talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired the quadrilateral talks-US-Iran-Pakistan-Qatar-in the Swiss lake city of Burgenstock on Sunday. According to the Foreign Office, the two sides would review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explore ways to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity. "The 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," the statement said. The visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss the implementation of understandings reached under the Islamabad MoU as well as broader regional and international developments. Read: Pezeshkian due today on key post-war visit Officials said the trip underscores the growing importance of Pakistan-Iran engagement at a time of major geopolitical shifts in the region and reflects the shared desire of both countries to promote peace, stability and economic cooperation. President Pezeshkian, who will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers and senior officials, is expected to personally convey Tehran's appreciation for Pakistan's diplomatic support during the conflict and its efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States, diplomatic sources said. This will be President Pezeshkian's second visit to Pakistan since assuming office. The two neighbours have in recent years sought to strengthen economic ties, enhance border cooperation and increase bilateral trade. The one-day trip would be Pezeshkian’s first overseas visit since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in late February. Traffic plan Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) on Tuesday issued an alternate traffic plan following the arrival of foreign delegations and announced that the entry of all types of heavy vehicles into the federal capital from any direction would remain suspended until further orders. An ITP official told APP that all entry points to the Red Zone, except those from Marriott and Margalla Road, would remain completely closed for all types of traffic, while special traffic arrangements and diversions had been put in place on major roads across the capital. The official said traffic diversions would remain in effect on the Expressway from Koral to Faizabad, Murree Road and Club Road, while Srinagar Highway from Zero Point to Dhokri Chowk would remain completely closed for traffic movement. According to the alternate traffic plan, traffic travelling between Faisal Avenue and Zero Point would be diverted towards 9th Avenue. In case of closure between Zero Point and Koral Chowk, commuters may use Srinagar Highway, 9th Avenue, Stadium Road, Murree Road, Chandni Chowk and Rawal Road to reach Koral and adjoining areas. The official said traffic from Park Road would be diverted towards Tramri Chowk if Club Road remains closed. Citizens travelling between Bhara Kahu and Rawalpindi have been advised to use Korang Road, Bani Gala and Lehtrar Road as alternate routes. Similarly, motorists travelling between Rawalpindi Saddar and Islamabad may use Colonel Sher Khan Road, Fakhr-e-Alam Road or 9th Avenue to avoid delays. The official said heavy traffic travelling from Peshawar to Lahore via GT Road should use Taxila, Motorway, Chakri Interchange, Chak Beli Road and Rawat GT Road, while heavy vehicles travelling from Lahore to Peshawar should use Rawat GT Road, Chak Beli Road, Chakri Interchange, Motorway and Taxila. Citizens were advised to plan their travel in advance and follow the alternate traffic plan to avoid inconvenience during the movement of foreign delegations. For further information and real-time traffic updates, commuters may follow the Islamabad Traffic Police WhatsApp Channel, Islamabad Police social media platforms and tune in to ITP FM 92.4, the official added. Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) on Tuesday issued an alternate traffic plan following the arrival of foreign delegations and announced that the entry of all types of heavy vehicles into the federal capital from any direction would remain suspended until further orders.#Islamabad pic.twitter.com/5u84afAP9v — APP (@appcsocialmedia) June 23, 2026 Earlier, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency also reported that President Pezeshkian was scheduled to visit Pakistan on Tuesday. Pezeshkian paid a state visit to Pakistan last August. The news came a day after the US and Iran agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days after the conclusion of the first session of high-level talks held under the Islamabad MoU in Switzerland. The first round of four-party talks involving Iran and the US, with mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded in Switzerland, marking the first formal follow-up engagement since the signing of the agreement earlier this week. On June 18, PM Shehbaz signed the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' as a mediator, formalising the major diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran. Israel, left out of the peace talks, has distanced itself from the US-Iran accord and kept up fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon, also raising questions about whether ​the agreement would hold. The US and Israel launched the war on Iran ⁠on February 28, assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day. It quickly spiralled into a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon; driven up energy prices; renewed inflationary pressures and sparked concerns about a ​major food supply crisis in developing countries.

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