Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan today (Tuesday) for an official visit, invited by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Upon his arrival, the visiting dignitary will meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and engage in discussions with Prime Minister Sharif, as confirmed by Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have planned to call on the Iranian president during his stay.
The Foreign Office noted that this marks Pezeshkian’s second presidential visit to Pakistan since assuming office.
The upcoming visit aims to assess and strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on boosting cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges, and regional connectivity.
The administration emphasized that the engagement presents a significant opportunity to address ongoing diplomatic efforts after the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, alongside regional and global matters of mutual concern.
The Foreign Office further highlighted that the visit demonstrates Pakistan and Iran’s mutual dedication to strengthening their historic and cultural connections, reflecting a shared vision for regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Security Measures Enforced in Islamabad
In preparation for President Pezeshkian’s arrival, all bus terminals in Islamabad were closed overnight Monday. Senior administrative and police officials directed terminal operators, including those at Faizabad and Chongi No 26, to halt operations before midnight and suspend services on Tuesday until the dignitary’s departure.
As a precautionary measure, authorities secured the Islamabad Red Zone, restricting entry to authorized personnel and officials. Additionally, the Islamabad High Court suspended judicial activities for Tuesday and instructed its staff to work remotely following the closure of the Red Zone. However, district courts in the capital will continue operating as usual.
Notably, the federal government mandated a one-day “work-from-home” policy for most ministries and suspended public access to all major hiking trails within Islamabad on Tuesday.
According to Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal’s notification, government employees based within the Red Zone must transition to remote work. Autonomous bodies and affiliated departments within the area will also observe a full closure on Tuesday. Exemptions included essential federal entities—such as the Prime Minister’s Office, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the Federal Board of Revenue, as well as the ministries of foreign affairs, interior, commerce, industries, law, parliamentary affairs, and planning—as well as all federal banking institutions.
Islamabad District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon confirmed that all popular hiking paths, including Trail 2, Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5, and trails behind Saidpur Village, remain closed until further notice.
US-Iran Discussions Undergo Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland
Pezeshkian’s visit follows pivotal direct talks hosted in Switzerland’s resort of Burgenstock—known as the “Lake Lucerne Summit”—which laid the groundwork for negotiations under the June 18 Islamabad MoU. Key topics included ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and resolving longstanding disputes within 60 days.
The negotiations were facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir representing Pakistan. Swiss officials mediated the historic agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The Lake Lucerne Summit established a formal communication channel aimed at preventing incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and introduced a “de-confliction cell” to mitigate clashes between warring factions in Lebanon.
Mediators reported “encouraging progress” in negotiations, including coordinated efforts to de-escalate tensions in Lebanon and safeguard the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Additional input from the Associated Press (APP)