Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani met Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and his delegation at Aiwan-e-Sadr on 6 November 2025, calling for deeper Pakistan Iran ties across parliamentary, economic and cultural spheres. The meeting, followed by a luncheon, focused on translating historical bonds of faith and culture into practical cooperation that benefits people on both sides of the border.
Mr Gilani highlighted parliamentary engagement as a valuable channel to advance mutual understanding and said regular interaction between parliamentary committees and friendship groups can promote joint work on border management, counter-narcotics and facilitation for pilgrims. He underlined the importance of political dialogue and enhanced people-to-people exchanges in strengthening Pakistan Iran ties.
Economic connectivity and trade expansion were emphasised as priorities, with Mr Gilani noting the mutual commitment to boost bilateral trade following talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in August 2025. He called for practical steps to ease trade barriers and increase economic cooperation to deliver measurable benefits to businesses and communities in both countries.
Education, cultural links and youth engagement were also identified as key areas for collaboration, with proposals for academic and medical exchange programmes to deepen social and professional ties. The Acting President urged greater cooperation on cultural initiatives and youth linkages to nurture long-term understanding between Pakistan and Iran.
Both delegations discussed the wider regional situation and international developments, reaffirming their intent to continue close consultations on matters of common interest. Dr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described Pakistan as a brotherly country and reiterated Iran’s keenness to expand parliamentary and economic ties, noting solidarity expressed by Pakistan’s Senate.
Dr Ghalibaf confirmed that an Iranian parliamentary delegation will attend the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Pakistan, reflecting a shared commitment to sustained legislative engagement. The Iranian delegation included Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam, Ambassador of Iran; Mr Fida Hossein Maleki, Chairman of the Iran-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group; Mr Mohammad Nour Dehani, Vice Chairman; and members of the Islamic Parliament of Iran.
Representing Pakistan were Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety; Senator Sherry Rehman; Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani; Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar; Senator Hidayatullah Khan; Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti; Senator Naseema Ehsan, Convener of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Iran; and MNAs Syed Naveed Qamar and Syed Ali Qasim Gilani. Both sides expressed determination to deepen cooperation across parliamentary, economic and cultural fields to strengthen Pakistan Iran ties going forward.
