By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held their first telephone conversation since the signing of the historic Islamabad Peace Deal on Thursday, with both leaders agreeing to expand bilateral ties and visit each other's capitals at the earliest opportunity.

The call, which lasted over thirty minutes, marked the first direct contact between the two leaders since Pakistan mediated the landmark agreement between the United States and Iran.

Prime Minister Sharif congratulated President Pezeshkian, the Iranian leadership, and the brotherly people of Iran on the signing of the historic peace deal. He said the landmark agreement would not only help restore peace in the region but also "go a long way in rebuilding the Iranian nation and further strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties across all areas of mutual interest."

The Prime Minister also conveyed his respectful regards to His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran.

While lauding Iran's decision to sign the peace deal, Sharif wished the Iranian side success in the next phase of negotiations and assured President Pezeshkian of Pakistan's continued support to Iran, "both as a brotherly and neighboring country, in all spheres."

On behalf of the Iranian nation and on his own behalf, President Pezeshkian thanked the Prime Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, for their "extremely critical roles in steering the mediation process, with great skill and sincerity, that had ensured its success."

He said Iran would "always remember Pakistan's positive and constructive efforts and its support for Iran during these difficult times."

The Iranian President conveyed his best wishes for the people of Pakistan and said Tehran was keen to "enhance and expand its bilateral ties with Pakistan across all areas of mutual interest."

Both leaders agreed to visit each other's capitals at the earliest possible opportunity to carry forward the excellent cooperation between the two sides in bilateral as well as regional matters. They also agreed to remain in touch in the coming days.

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Sharif cancelled his planned trip to Switzerland to witness the signing of the peace deal between the US and Iran. No official reason was provided for the cancellation, though government sources indicated that with the agreement already signed in Islamabad, the Prime Minister's presence in Switzerland was no longer required. The US Vice President, who was also expected to attend, had also reportedly adjusted his travel plans