PM meets Iranian president, calls for progress on Islamabad MoU to resolve Iran-US tensions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to the international community to move forward with the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Islamabad to resolve the conflict between Iran and the United States.

During his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Antalya, Türkiye, the prime minister expressed concern over the ongoing tensions in the region and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to playing its part in promoting regional peace and stability.

Restraint, de-escalation and continued diplomatic efforts were key to achieving sustainable peace, he added.

The Iranian president appreciated Pakistan's diplomatic contribution to promoting peace in the region. He also expressed Iran's strong desire to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in all possible areas.

Both leaders agreed to work towards strengthening bilateral ties and making the region more peaceful, secure and prosperous.

Meanwhile, addressing the COP31 conference in Antalya, the prime minister urged the international community not to burden countries with debt while asking them to tackle climate change.

He said that developing economies would find it impossible to achieve their climate goals without adequate funding and without increasing the burden on low-income and impoverished populations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that the conference would mark a significant turning point in global efforts to combat climate change.

On the sidelines of the conference, Prime Minister Shehbaz also held meetings with the prime ministers of Kuwait and Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, the World Bank president, the OIC secretary-general, the Syrian president and the Palestinian prime minister.