From Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to work together to address border security and counter terrorism chal-lenges.
The agreement was made during a joint press conference between Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, in Islamabad on Tues-day.
Ishaq Dar welcomed the Iranian Foreign Minister and expressed Pakistan’s concerns over Israel’s viola-tions of international law in Gaza. Ishaq Dar condemned Israeli aggression in the Middle East, calling it a threat to regional stability. He emphasised the need for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue, highlighting the importance of diplomacy in solving regional conflicts.
The two foreign ministers discussed the broader regional situation and underlined their shared com-mitment to combating terrorism.
“We agree that terrorism is a common challenge for both Pakistan and Iran,” said Ishaq Dar. “We will cooperate in addressing these threats, especially at the border.”
On the issue of Palestine, both ministers reaffirmed their strong stance. Abbas Araqchi commended Pakistan’s clear position on the Palestinian cause, adding that international inaction has allowed the ongoing genocide in Palestine to continue. He stressed that efforts must be made to stop Israeli ag-gression in the region and called for collective action to end the crisis.
Abbas Araqchi also expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for its humanitarian aid to Palestinian and Leba-nese refugees and its role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Both sides agreed to continue their cooperation in addressing the shared challenges of border security, terrorism, and regional insta-bility.
Previously the Iranian foreign minister arrived in Islamabad late Monday night for a two-day visit, which appears to have been hurriedly arranged to address the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
“Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrives in Pakistan today (Monday) on a two-day offi-cial visit. During his visit, he will hold meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar,” read a statement issued here by the Foreign Office.
The statement said Foreign Minister Araghchi will hold consultations on the situation in the Middle East and Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations.
Sources said the visit is part of diplomatic outreach by Tehran to consult neighbours and regional coun-tries over the ongoing simmering tensions between Iran and Israel.
Iran is contemplating a response to Israel’s October 28 strikes targeting the military bases, missile launch pads and other installations in the three provinces of Iran.
At least four Iranian soldiers were killed in those strikes, according to the Iranian authorities. Israel said the strikes were in response to the earlier attack launched by Iran against the Jewish state.
