By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: President Dr ArifAlvi on Friday said that Pakistan was grateful for Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatullah Ali Khamenei’s strong support for the just struggle of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to the outgoing Ambassador of Iran, Mehdi Honardoost, who paid farewell call on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said that the unilateral and illegal actions taken by the fascist Indian government, violating the human rights of the people of Kashmir, were a continuation of BJP’s hostile and restrictive attitude towards all its minorities.
He said that Pakistan would continue its support for humans rights of all communities around the world and in this regard, the initiative of English TV channel by Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia, would go a long way towards countering Islamophobia.
The President said that Pakistan and Iran had close bilateral relations based on religion, culture, people-to-people contacts and commonality of interests. He highlighted that close cooperative relations with all neighbouring countries including Iran, was a key foreign policy priority of Pakistan.
Therefore, Pakistan greatly valued Iran’s consistent support on various regional issues, he added.
The outgoing Iranian Ambassador said that Pakistan and Iran were brotherly countries and regional peace and stability was their high priority.
The President appreciated the services of the outgoing Iranian Ambassador in furthering the bilateral relations between the two countries during his tenure in Pakistan and wished him well for his future assignments.
Meanwhile, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, NI (M), paid a farewell call on President Dr. Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
The President appreciated the services rendered by the outgoing Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee for the defence of the country.
He said that General Zubair Mahmood Hayat was a true professional soldier and had been instrumental in increasing the efficiency and professionalism of the Armed Forces.
