ISLAMABAD: An Iranian delegation, headed by Iran Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafi and accompanied by Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Hoonardost, called on National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt General (r) Nasser Khan Janjua on Thursday and exchanged views on bilateral relations.
They discussed options for further improving the bilateral relations and matters pertaining to regional security.
The NSA said that for Pakistan, Iran was an important country as Iran was not only a neighbour but also a brotherly country from historic, cultural and religious perspectives.
“We believe that Pakistan and Iran share a common future and need to enhance their cooperation,” he said.
The commander reciprocated the same sentiments and agreed that Pakistan and Iran needed to be closer to each other.
He stressed the importance of identifying and removing all the impediments affecting bilateral relations.
The NSA elaborated on the challenges faced by both countries at regional and international levels and said that solution was in the cooperative framework.
Discussing the prospects of peace and stability in Afghanistan, the commander said that Iran shared Pakistan’s views and believed that peace in Afghanistan was a prerequisite for peace in the region.
He stressed on the need of unity in the Muslim world which he said was suffering the most nowadays.
The NSA acknowledged the concerns of the commander and highlighted the role of Pakistan in the region and in the Muslim world.
He reiterated that Pakistan had played a positive and balanced role in the region and in the Muslim world. Both Pakistan and Iran required deliberation and strategic patience to overcome the prevailing difficulties to strengthen their bilateral relations and to move ahead together towards a brighter future, he added.
Both sides agreed to increase engagements at all levels in multiple areas including political, defence, trade and economics.
