Pakistan and Iran have agreed to make joint efforts for peace and stability in the region, including Afghanistan.
The understanding was reached at a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif here yesterday.
The two foreign ministers also expressed concern over the tendency of rising Islamophobia in some European countries and made it clear that blasphemous attitude in the garb of freedom of expression is not acceptable at all.
They exchanged views on bilateral relations, promotion of bilateral co-operation in diverse fields, and the coronavirus pandemic. They also discussed better border management, promotion of mutual contacts, and provision of better facilities to the Zaireen.
Qureshi said Pakistan and Iran can benefit from regional and other important forums for promotion of co-operation in bilateral trade, investment, security and other areas of mutual interest.
Expressing grief and sorrow over deaths due to Covid-19 in Iran, the foreign minister appreciated the Iranian government’s efforts to control spread of the pandemic.
Qureshi said durable peace in Afghanistan is imperative for peace and stability in the region. He said the Afghan leadership has a unique opportunity in the form of intra-Afghan dialogue and they should not let this opportunity go.
Zarif appreciated Pakistan’s positive role for regional stability, especially the Afghan peace process and pledged to keep working for better relations between the two brotherly countries.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi (right) and his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif cutting a cake to mark the 143rd birth anniversary of Pakistan’s national poet Dr Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal, which fell on November 9, in Islamabad yesterday. Iqbal, whose verses had a considerable Persian influence, is revered in both the countries.
