Pakistan backs Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy as PM Sharif and Pezeshkian sign 12 cooperation deals

Pakistan on Sunday voiced support for Iran’s right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as both countries signed a series of agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

The announcement came during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s two-day visit to Islamabad, where he held formal talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM’s official residence.

At a joint press briefing following their meeting, Sharif reaffirmed Islamabad’s backing of Tehran’s civilian nuclear programme, which has been at the heart of escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

“Pakistan stands with Iran for the acquisition of peaceful nuclear power,” Sharif said.

His remarks come at a sensitive time, as Iran’s relations with the US—Pakistan’s long-time ally and major non-NATO partner—remain strained over nuclear issues. Tensions further escalated in June when Israeli and American forces carried out coordinated airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear installations. In response, Tehran halted its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Sharif also condemned the airstrikes, calling them acts of “Israeli aggression” and reiterated Pakistan’s support for Iran’s right to self-defence. He strongly criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza and urged the global community—especially Muslim-majority nations—to take a stand against the ongoing human rights violations there.

On the economic front, the two leaders expressed optimism about achieving a trade volume of USD 10 billion annually. Several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, which Sharif said he hoped would soon evolve into formal agreements.

President Pezeshkian confirmed that the MoUs included provisions to expedite finalisation of a free trade agreement between the two neighbours.

According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, a total of 12 documents—including agreements and MoUs—were exchanged during the visit. These cover cooperation in diverse fields such as trade, agriculture, science and technology, information and communications, culture, tourism, climate action, and maritime safety.

He criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and called upon the international community, particularly Muslim nations, to address the ongoing human rights violations in the region.

Sharif said the two sides have signed several MoUs and made commitments and hoped that they would soon be transformed into agreements.

He said Pakistan and Iran are aiming to achieve the target of USD 10 billion in annual trade.

The two leaders also discussed issues related to terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat militancy along their shared border.

President Pezeshkian, in his remarks, said that the MoUs signed also included one about finalisation of the free trade agreement at the earliest between the two sides.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, Pakistan and Iran exchanged 12 agreements and MoUs in the presence of Sharif and Pezeshkian.

The agreements and MoUs included cooperation in trade, agriculture, science, technology and innovation, information and communications, culture, art, tourism, climate, and maritime safety.

With inputs from agencies