Zarif, Pakistan PM urge boost in ties
August 31, 2018 - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan called for enhancing bilateral relations as they met in Islamabad on Friday.
Zarif and Khan exchanged views on issues of common interest and stressed the need to bolster economic and security cooperation and fight against terrorism and extremism in the region.
Earlier in the day, Zarif held talks with his Pakistan counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. At the meeting he hailed Pakistan as “an important neighbor” of Iran and said the Islamic Republic sees no restriction on the development of ties with the country.
No third country can undermine Tehran-Islamabad relations, he said, stressing the need to boost cooperation in diverse fields, including the security of common borders, trade and banking cooperation.
After the meeting, Zarif said Iran will continue to work closely with Pakistan for regional peace and security.
He also met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday and discussed regional security and other matters of mutual interest.
“The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region,” a statement, issued by the military's media wing said.
“Regional security situation and other matters of mutual interest were discussed. COAS said Pakistan is taking sincere steps for peace and security in the region,” it said.
On Thursday, Zarif held a meeting with Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and told him that Iran seeks "the best and strongest of ties with its neighbor, Pakistan".
The top Iranian diplomat further hailed Islamabad for taking measures to promote the fight against terrorism, saying, "We see Pakistan as Iran's partner [in efforts] to establish lasting peace in the region."
Qaiser called for a stronger unity among Muslim countries, saying that Pakistan attaches great significance to neighboring Iran in line with that goal.
Zarif and the officials accompanying him became the first foreign delegation to visit Pakistan since the inauguration of Imran Khan.