Iran’s Javad Zarif meets Imran Khan, Pakistan Army chief, discusses ways to deepen cooperation

File picture of Javad Zarif. Reuters

Islamabad: Iranian Overseas Minister Javad Zarif met with Pakistan’s high civil and navy management on Wednesday throughout which the 2 sides mentioned methods to deepen bilateral cooperation in several sectors.

Zarif, who’s in Islamabad on a two-day official go to, known as on Prime Minister Imran Khan who stated Pakistan and Iran loved shut relations and the 2 international locations “should additional strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual profit”, in keeping with the Prime Minister’s Workplace.

Prime Minister Khan additionally emphasised the necessity for enhanced bilateral cooperation with particular emphasis on bilateral commerce and financial relations. He additionally underscored the necessity to work intently for selling peace, safety, and growth within the area.

Khan additionally talked about peace and stability in Afghanistan and stated that there was no navy answer to the Afghan battle. He stated that peace in Afghanistan could be helpful for all the area as it will create new alternatives for commerce and financial cooperation in addition to regional connectivity.

He prolonged condolences over the lack of lives in Iran as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. He shared Pakistan’s expertise, together with the “sensible lockdown” technique and different measures, to include the pandemic.

Zarif conveyed private greetings and dedication of President Hassan Rouhani to work intently with Prime Minister Khan for additional strengthening bilateral cooperation in numerous fields.

Individually, Zarif known as on Pakistan Military chief Basic Qamar Javed Bajwa and mentioned issues of mutual curiosity and regional safety scenario, together with the Afghan reconciliation course of.

“Throughout the assembly, issues of mutual curiosity, regional safety scenario together with Afghan reconciliation course of, Pakistan-Iran border administration, and border markets had been mentioned,” the military stated in an announcement.

Basic Bajwa stated that enhanced Pakistan-Iran cooperation may have a constructive impression on regional peace and stability.

Zarif appreciated Pakistan’s position for regional stability, particularly the Afghanistan peace course of, and pledged to maintain working for higher relations between the 2 international locations.

Earlier, the Iranian Overseas Minister held delegation-level talks along with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi throughout which the 2 sides mentioned the alternatives for bilateral cooperation in numerous fields and strengthening of contacts between the 2 counties.

The 2 ministers additionally “expressed concern over the tendency of rising Islamophobia in some European international locations and made it clear that blasphemous angle within the garb of freedom of expression will not be acceptable in any respect,” Radio Pakistan reported.

In addition they exchanged views on bilateral relations, the promotion of bilateral cooperation in numerous fields, and the coronavirus pandemic. In addition they mentioned higher border administration, promotion of mutual contacts, and provision of higher services to the pilgrims.

Qureshi stated the 2 nations can profit by way of the promotion of cooperation in bilateral commerce, funding, safety, and different areas of mutual curiosity.

He additionally raised the Kashmir situation along with his Iranian counterpart.

This was Zarif’s fourth go to to Pakistan for the reason that inauguration of the present Pakistani authorities. Nevertheless, Zarif has travelled to Pakistan 11 occasions as Overseas Minister.