COAS says Pak-Iran cooperation to have good impact on regional peace

Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif Wednesday called on Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including Afghan reconciliation process, Pak-Iran border management and border markets were discussed.

Army Chief General Bajwa said that enhanced Pakistan-Iran cooperation will have positive impact on regional peace and stability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif appreciated Pakistan’s positive role for regional stability, especially Afghan peace process and pledged to keep working for better relations between the two brotherly countries.

Zarif meets FM Qurehi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Iranian counterpart Jawad Zarif on Wednesday discussed multilateral issues including management of common borders and the strategy to control coronavirus.

The two sides exchanged views on providing better facilities to cross-border visitors to promote people-to-people ties.

FM Qureshi said Pakistan and Iran enjoyed historic and brotherly relations and stressed expanding bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, commerce and security.

He said restoration of peace in Afghanistan was vital for stability in the region and mentioned that it was time for the Afghan stakeholders not to miss the opportunity of sustainable peace.

The two sides expressed resolve to continue efforts for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Qureshi extended condolences to Zarif on loss of lives in Iran due to coronavirus and lauded the steps taken by the Iranian government to control the spread of virus.

On behalf of Pakistani nation, he paid tribute to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for supporting the just cause of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.

Both foreign ministers expressed concern over the rising trend of Islamophobia in certain European countries, stressing that blasphemy was not acceptable in the garb of freedom of expression.

Later, foreign ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Jawad Zarif led their respective sides at the delegation-level talks.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s visit to Pakistan forms part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. This is his fourth visit to Pakistan during the last two and a half years.

The statement further added Pakistan and Iran enjoy close, cordial relations founded on mutual trust and augmented by affinities of faith and culture. “Bilateral collaboration between the two countries has been growing in diverse fields. The Iranian leadership has been vocal in its steadfast support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” it added.

 “The visit of the Foreign Minister of Iran will help further deepen bilateral cooperation and enhance understanding on various regional issues,” it said.

The Iranian foreign minister is also expected to hold meetings with President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan.