President Pezeshkian’s visit reflects Iran’s deep trust in Pakistan: Masood

Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan has said that Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan reflects Islamabad’s emergence as a trusted diplomatic bridge in West Asia following its successful mediation between the United States and Iran. Speaking in international television interviews, he said the visit carries both symbolic and strategic significance, as it acknowledges Pakistan’s historic role in helping avert a catastrophic regional war while opening a new chapter in Pakistan-Iran relations. Sardar Masood Khan said the discussions between the leadership of Pakistan and Iran are expected to focus on the implementation of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding and the institutional mechanisms established to advance the peace process. Highlighting the bilateral agenda, Sardar Masood Khan said the visit presents an opportunity to transform Pakistan-Iran economic relations through greater cooperation in trade, energy and connectivity. He emphasized the need to formalise cross-border trade in electricity and oil, increase bilateral trade from the current level to the agreed target of US$10 billion, accelerate work on the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, and strengthen cooperation on border management, counterterrorism and counter-narcotics. He further stated that Pakistan’s three ports—Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar—played a historic logistical role during the recent regional crisis by facilitating the movement of international cargo destined for Iran.