Iranian FM, Qureshi discuss ways to bolster bilateral ties

Author: Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday met his met Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office.

“FM Qureshi welcomed Zarif at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Detailed discussions on all issues of mutual interest, including ways to enhance cooperation took place,” FO Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal tweeted.

“Talks between Iran and Pakistan took place on all issues of mutual interest,” he added.

Zarif landed in Islamabad earlier in the day for what marks his second visit during the newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.

Zarif also met Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed issues of mutual interest, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to a statement, the two leaders also deliberated on the recovery of 12 Iranian border security guards kidnapped by militants a fortnight ago in Iran’s Mirjaveh region close to the Balochistan border.

Jaish al-Adl, a terrorist group operating in the region, had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Iranian leaders believe that the kidnappers transferred the guards to Pakistan after taking them hostage.

The Iranian diplomat previously travelled to Pakistan on August 31 when he and Khan had discussed matters related to bilateral relations and regional security.

The Pakistani premier, at that time, had said the two countries enjoy historical and religious ties and that the people of both nations needed to extend cooperation in different fields.

Zarif had also met Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Jawed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi where, according to the military’s media wing, the two talked regional security and matters of mutual interest.

The Iranian foreign minister had appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to the prevention of regional conflict. Islamabad took sincere steps towards peace and stability in South Asia, Zarif had said.

During his meeting with Qureshi, the two ministers, as per the Foreign Office (FO), discussed the ways to enhance cooperation and strengthen relations between the two states.

Published in Daily Times, November 1^st 2018.