Pakistan Backs Iran’s Peaceful Nuclear Program

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Pakistan has reaffirmed its longstanding support for Iran’s right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program under the United Nations (UN) framework. The announcement came during Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian’s official visit to Islamabad, where both nations signed multiple agreements to strengthen bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, hosting Dr. Pezeshkian on August 3, 2025, reiterated Pakistan’s position that every sovereign state, including Iran, has the right to develop nuclear energy for civilian use in accordance with the UN Charter. He condemned Israel’s June 2025 airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as unprovoked aggression, reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on regional peace and sovereignty, according to statements reported by Radio Pakistan and The Tribune.

The two sides signed 12 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), covering trade, security, technology, and agriculture, with a shared goal of raising bilateral trade volume to $10 billion annually. Sharif emphasized that these agreements would enhance economic integration and regional cooperation.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the visit also highlighted Islamabad’s consistent support for Iran’s civilian nuclear program. Historical civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries dates back to the late 1980s, when discussions on peaceful nuclear technology were held under General Zia-ul-Haq’s administration. A 2004 report by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) noted that Pakistani authorities provided Iran with technical assistance limited strictly to non-military uses. There is no evidence of nuclear weapons cooperation.

During a joint press engagement, Dr. Pezeshkian welcomed Pakistan’s diplomatic approach, noting that the agreements signed would expedite progress on a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He reiterated the importance of cooperation between Muslim-majority countries in addressing shared economic and security goals.

The visit, which included a state banquet hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari, comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Prime Minister Sharif also condemned the ongoing conflict in Gaza and called on the international community to address humanitarian violations in the region. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking to Arab News, clarified that no new military arrangements were established with Iran during the visit, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy and regional stability.