TEHRAN:
Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, engaged in significant discussions with senior Iranian military officials in Tehran on Tuesday, focusing on bolstering defence collaboration and enhancing border security.
During his visit to the General Staff Headquarters, the army chief held in-depth talks with Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. The two sides exchanged views on the shifting regional security landscape and pledged to strengthen military-to-military coordination.
The discussions also explored ways to transform the shared border into a hub for trade and economic growth, with both nations emphasizing the importance of fostering regional peace and prosperity.
Field Marshal Munir received a warm welcome, complete with a ceremonial guard of honour by the Iranian Armed Forces.
In addition to military meetings, the army chief joined Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in high-level talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. The visit is part of an official regional tour that includes stops in Türkiye, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
Earlier, Pakistan’s First Lady, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, met with a senior Iranian delegation at Bilawal House on Monday. The meeting reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and enhancing regional cooperation with Tehran.
The Iranian delegation was led by Dr Reyhaneh Sadat Raeisi, daughter of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, accompanied by key officials including Dr Vahed Asghari, chargé d’affaires at the Iranian Consulate General, and Dr Saeid Talebi Nia, director general and cultural attaché at Khana-e-Farhang Iran.
Prominent Pakistani figures, including Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, also attended the meeting, which focused on strengthening ties in healthcare, cultural exchange, and diplomatic engagement.
Highlighting the historic and cultural bonds between the two nations, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari expressed appreciation for Iran’s longstanding support for Pakistan. “Our countries share a deep-rooted relationship built on mutual respect and common aspirations,” she noted, also praising Iran’s advancements in healthcare.
Dr Raeisi thanked Pakistan for its support following the death of her father and conveyed gratitude to President Asif Ali Zardari on behalf of the Iranian leadership.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Azerbaijan as part of his four-nation tour to fortify diplomatic and economic relationships. His visit follows stops in Türkiye and Iran, where he held high-level discussions on strengthening bilateral ties, regional connectivity, and joint development initiatives.
The prime minister is scheduled to wrap up the tour in Tajikistan, where he will participate in the International Conference on Glaciers on May 29–30.
