Daily Times

Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs Javad Zarif on Friday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and conveyed him the greetings and best wishes of the people and leadership of Iran on assuming office.

Zarif delivered a message of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, inviting the Prime Minister for the upcoming Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit in Iran.

Welcoming the foreign minister, Khan thanked the Iranian Supreme Leader’s support for Kashmiri’s struggle for self-determination as well as for the manner in which Pakistan Independence Day was celebrated in Iran.

PM Khan said that Pakistan and Iran were connected by inseparable bonds of historic, religious and cultural affinities. He added that during his tenure, Pakistan would make all efforts to cement these relations in various areas to the benefit of both countries.

He also emphasised on restoring complete peace and stability in the region. “As land bridges between economically resource-rich regions, together with other regional partners, Pakistan and Iran remained the key to growth and prosperity in the region through enhancing connectivity and promoting people to people linkages,” he went on to say.

Referring to cancellation of blasphemous Dutch caricatures competition following Government of Pakistan’s strong condemnation and protest recently, the prime minister underlined the need for the Muslim countries to confront Islamophobia with one voice. “The love and respect of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), was part of every Muslim’s faith and no one could be allowed to disrespect it,” said the prime minister.