–Foreign ministers of both countries discuss security issues
–Envoy says visit aimed at recovery of abducted border guards
ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Javad Zarif called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday and conveyed personal greetings and commitment of Iranian President Rouhani to work closely with Pakistan for further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Reciprocating Iranian president’s message, PM Khan reiterated his desire to further strengthen political and economic relations with Iran.
The prime minister said that improving relations with all neighbouring countries was one of the key foreign policy priorities of his government. Bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.
The premier expressed his concern at the absence of unity and continued conflicts in and among Muslim countries. In this context, he lamented the humanitarian crisis the people of Yemen are facing. He offered his personal mediation to help resolve the crisis in Yemen, if all concerned parties agreed to this mediation.
PM Khan conveyed his best wishes for the leadership and the people of Iran.
FM ZARIF CALLS ON FM QURESHI:
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met his met counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office (FO).
“FM Qureshi welcomed Zarif at MOFA on Wednesday. Detailed discussions on all issues of mutual interest including ways to enhance cooperation took place,” FO spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said.
“Talks between Iran and Pakistan took place on all issues of mutual interest,” he added.
During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the ways to enhance cooperation and strengthen relations between the two states.
Earlier, upon his arrival in Islamabad, the Iranian FM had said that his visit was aimed at the safe recovery of Iranian border guards.
In an interview with IRNA after his arrival in Islamabad, he said that Pakistani officials had promised the Iranian authorities of doing their level best to recover the abducted border guards. He said that Iranian authorities were constantly in touch with Pakistani authorities for their safe recovery.
The Iranian diplomat had previously travelled to Pakistan on August 31 when he and PM Khan had discussed matters related to bilateral relations and regional security.
The Iranian foreign minister had appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to the prevention of regional conflict, adding that Islamabad has taken sincere steps towards peace and stability in South Asia.
Zarif had also met Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Jawed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi where the two talked regional security and matters of mutual interest, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
