Heading a parliamentary delegation, Qalibaf departed for Islamabad on Wednesday morning at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, Ayaz Sadiq.

He is also scheduled to hold talks with senior political officials, including the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Speaking to reporters at Mehrabad Airport before his departure, he outlined the agenda for his official visit to Pakistan, noting that meetings with leaders of both the National Assembly and Senate are planned.

He stressed that the primary goal of the trip is to enhance political, economic, security, and cultural cooperation between the two nations.

He highlighted the growing importance of strategic cooperation among Islamic countries, particularly neighbors, in the current regional climate, adding that Iran and Pakistan—given their historical, civilizational, and geographical ties—can play a significant role in promoting regional security and stability.

The Parliament speaker also addressed the issue of Israel, describing it as a critical concern and urging Islamic nations to pay close attention to its ongoing US-backed aggressions.

The trip will also include visits to key cultural and economic hubs, Lahore and Karachi, where he will engage with Pakistani cultural and religious elites, as well as business leaders and merchants.

A number of Iranian lawmakers and members of the Iran-Pakistan parliamentary friendship group are accompanying the Parliament speaker on this visit.

Pakistan, Iran’s most populous neighbor with bilateral trade exceeding $3 billion, has joined Iran in expressing a determination to boost trade volume to $10 billion through targeted planning and by removing existing barriers.