Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has clarified that Iran’s ballistic missile programme is entirely excluded from the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Tehran and Washington to end the Middle East war. Speaking during delegation-level talks in Islamabad alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister rejected double standards regarding regional defence capabilities, asserting that Iran possesses the same right to maintain ballistic missiles as any other sovereign nation.
The premier emphasised that the issue of ballistic missiles was never on the table during the negotiations and is not mentioned in the text of the agreement in any form. Warning against attempts by external “spoilers” to misrepresent the contents of the document and undermine the broader peace process, he reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its mediation role until a lasting and honourable peace is fully achieved. Prime Minister Shehbaz also highly commended Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his outstanding contribution to securing the ceasefire, whilst acknowledging the vital support of friendly nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt.
During a subsequent joint press conference, President Pezeshkian echoed the premier’s remarks, stating unequivocally that Iran’s missiles are not part of the MoU and will never be subject to negotiations. The day-long visit, the Iranian president’s first foreign trip since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February,followed an announcement by Pakistan and Qatar regarding a 60-day roadmap toward a final peace agreement established during high-level talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland.
President Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad on a special Mirage Airlines aircraft named Minab 168, a symbolic tribute to 168 children martyred in a school attack in Iran’s Minab city. Following productive discussions on bilateral cooperation and regional stability with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz, and CDF Field Marshal Munir, the Iranian president concluded his official visit and departed for Tehran on Tuesday night.
