ISLAMABAD, Friday, June 19, 2026 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday informed the National Assembly that Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian had telephoned him to express profound gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their unwavering support during Iran’s difficult period, describing Pakistan as a country that stood “like a rock” alongside the Islamic Republic.
Addressing the National Assembly, the prime minister said he received a telephone call from the Iranian president on Thursday evening, during which the two leaders held a detailed conversation lasting approximately half an hour.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said President Pezeshkian repeatedly conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to Pakistan, its leadership and its people for standing firmly with Iran throughout the challenging circumstances.
“The Iranian president expressed, time and again, his deep gratitude on behalf of himself and the Iranian nation, saying that Pakistan stood by Iran like a rock during its difficult time,” the prime minister told the House.
He said the Iranian president particularly acknowledged the support extended by Pakistan’s leadership, including Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and the entire Pakistani nation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said he invited President Pezeshkian to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at the earliest opportunity, assuring him of a warm and enthusiastic welcome by the people of Pakistan.
“I told the Iranian president that Pakistan and Iran are not merely neighbouring countries but brotherly nations whose people are bound together by shared faith, history and mutual affection,” he said.
According to the prime minister, President Pezeshkian accepted the invitation and assured him that he would visit Pakistan at the earliest opportunity to personally thank the government and people of Pakistan for their sincere support.
Prime Minister Shehbaz further informed the House that President Pezeshkian also invited him to attend commemorative ceremonies to be held in Iran on July 3 and 4 in memory of the late Iranian leader.
The prime minister said he assured the Iranian president that Pakistan would be represented by a high-level delegation at the ceremonies as a reflection of the close brotherly relations, mutual respect and solidarity between the two countries.
Expressing optimism about the future, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the recent ceasefire would help promote lasting peace, regional stability and economic prosperity, while opening a new chapter of closer cooperation between Pakistan and Iran for the benefit of both nations and the wider region.
