Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani received Speaker Dr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran and his delegation at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on 6 November 2025, with the meeting followed by a luncheon in their honour.
Mr Gilani said Pakistan and Iran share deep-rooted bonds of faith, history and culture and stressed that parliamentary engagement is an important channel to strengthen Pakistan Iran ties and advance mutual understanding for the benefit of both peoples.
He urged enhanced political dialogue and economic connectivity, highlighting the importance of regular interaction between parliamentary committees and friendship groups to promote cooperation on border management, counter-narcotics efforts and facilitation for pilgrims. The Acting President emphasised that sustained parliamentary diplomacy can translate into practical outcomes on security and trade along the shared border.
Referencing the August 2025 meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, Mr Gilani reiterated Pakistan’s wish to significantly expand bilateral trade with Iran. He underlined government support for measures that boost commerce and agreed mechanisms to facilitate cross-border economic activity as part of broader efforts to deepen Pakistan Iran ties.
Mr Gilani also called for greater collaboration in education, culture and youth engagement through academic and medical cooperation and exchange programmes, noting that people-to-people links will sustain long-term bilateral partnership beyond official channels.
Both sides discussed a wide range of issues including overall bilateral relations, regional developments and international matters, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in all fields and maintain close consultation on matters of common interest.
Dr Ghalibaf thanked the Acting President for the warm reception, described Iran as a brotherly country and indicated Iran’s keenness to expand parliamentary and economic ties. He noted support for the resolution of solidarity with Iran previously passed by the Senate of Pakistan and confirmed that an Iranian parliamentary delegation will attend the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Pakistan.
The visiting Iranian delegation included Ambassador Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam, Mr Fida Hossein Maleki (Chairman, Iran-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group), Mr Mohammad Nour Dehani and other members of the Islamic Parliament of Iran, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan’s side included Federal Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Senators Sherry Rehman, Agha Shahzaib Durrani, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Hidayatullah Khan, Amir Waliuddin Chishti and Senator Naseema Ehsan as convener of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Iran, alongside MNAs Syed Naveed Qamar and Syed Ali Qasim Gilani.
