———– PM reaches Tehran as second stop of four nation tour
———– Asserts Pakistan ready to engage in dialogue for resolution of all disputes
———– Both sides agree to ensure regional peace and prosperity
———– Iranian President hails brotherly ties with Pakistan
From Tehmina Mustapha
TEHRAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan was prepared to hold talks with India for the sake of regional peace, reiterating that the country desired peace and stability in South Asia.
“We want peace… we are ready to engage in dialogue for the resolution of all disputes, including the issue of Kashmir,” the premier said while addressing a joint press conference along with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.
Following the conclusion of visit to Turkiye, the premier landed in Tehran as part of his four-nation tour to friendly countries, with aim to express his gratitude for supporting Pakistan during the recent conflict against India. Upon his arrival, the prime minister was received by Iranian Interior Minister and Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Iranian armed forces presented a guard of honour at the airport. The prime minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal General Asim Munir. Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi, Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi are also part of the delegation. Speaking during the joint presser, the premier said that Pakistan is a peaceful country that seeks harmony in the region but warned that any act of aggression would be met with a strong and effective response.
He noted that his country was willing to hold discussions on key regional issues, including water sharing and counter-terrorism. Commenting on Pakistan’s national security, PM Shehbaz commended the armed forces for their bravery and timely response during the recent conflict with India. “Our armed forces demonstrated exemplary courage,” he noted.
He also expressed gratitude to Iranian President Pezeshkian for his support and solidarity with Pakistan. “I appreciate the sentiments expressed by President Pezeshkian towards the people of Pakistan,” he said, adding that the two countries shared deep-rooted ties based on mutual respect and regional cooperation.
Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to peace and development, the prime minister also reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
Speaking of the high-level delegation talks between the two nations, the premier said he had a productive and useful meeting with the Iranian President, covering all areas of mutual interest and cooperation.
“There was total agreement that the two brotherly neigbouring countries must enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, investment and economy,” he added.
He assured that Pakistan would work with Iran on all issues of mutual concern.
While welcoming the prime minister and his delegation, the Iranian President said Pakistan was an important neighbouring country and both countries enjoyed centuries old historical, cultural and civilizational links.
He said Pakistan and Iran shared common stance on important regional and international issues on different platforms including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The Iranian President said the two countries should cooperate on making their borders secure from the activities of terrorists and criminal groups.
“Peace and stability in Pakistan is in the interest of Iran. We believe that sustaining security and maintaining friendly and peaceful relations with neighbouring countries is in the interest of the two countries,” he continued.
He said Iran welcomed the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, adding settling issues through dialogue was essential for stability in the region.
“We believe that for ensuring security and stability in the region, neighbouring countries should hold dialogue and have positive consultations among each other and with the international partners.”
PM meets Iran’s Supreme LeaderSeparately, PM Shehbaz also paid a courtesy call on Iran’s Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei and discussed matters of bilateral and regional interest.
He was accompanied by Field Marshal Asim Munir, Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi and Information Attaullah Tarar.
During the call, the Prime Minister conveyed his deepest respect to the Supreme Leader underlining that he was an iconic figure in the Muslim World and the Muslim Ummah looked up to him for guidance and patronage.
The premier briefed him about recent conflict with India and India’s hegemonistic and revisionist designs and profusely thanked leadership of Iran for supporting Pakistan against Indian aggression.
The premier underlined that Pakistan always desired that peace should prevail in the region leading to economic development and prosperity.
He briefed the Supreme Leader about the steps taken to elevate Pakistan-Iran ties to highest levels and maintained that his government was committed to further deepen strategic cooperation with Iran in the complex geo-political times.
He praised the farsightedness of the Iranian leadership in pursuing the nuclear negotiations with the United States and hoped that a constructive deal is reached between the two countries in order to promote peace and stability in the region.
The Supreme Leader appreciated the efforts of the premier in promoting regional peace and stability with farsightedness and praised his personal commitment to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties.
The Supreme Leader prayed for greater prosperity, growth, and development of Pakistan and its people.
He deeply appreciated Supreme Leader’s dedication to the poetry of Allama Iqbal, the poet of the East, and particularly requested the Supreme Leader to visit Pakistan again at earliest convenience.
‘Pakistan, Iran eye $10 bn bilateral trade’
Prior to his visit to Tehran, PM Shehbaz — in an interview with Iranian news agency — said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran which stood at $3 billion, would be taken to $10 billion volume in the next few years, as there was immense potential of growth.
The prime minister noted that the bilateral trade between the two countries had witnessed a significant increase in the past three to four years.
“We want to take it up to $10 billion in the next few years, but I think the potential is much larger than that as well. We are discussing signing a free trade agreement (FTA). I think in the next ten years, the trade volume between the two countries will expand a great deal,” the Iranian news wire quoted the prime minister as saying.
The premier, to a query, replied that he strongly believed that the economic destiny of both countries was interlinked as they shared a border of about 900 kilometres.
“I personally believe that strong economic linkage between Pakistan’s Balochistan and Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan can be good for the entire region. It can also be very effective in dealing with terrorism,” he added.
He further mentioned that the two countries had signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) about developing projects between these provinces. He further underscored the need of sustained economic engagement between Iran and Pakistan.
To a question regarding his Iran’s visit, the prime minister said that he was undertaking the visit at the invitation of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“The principal objective of my visit is to thank Iran for supporting and standing by us during our conflict with India. India, as you know, imposed war on us, which we repulsed through a decisive but measured and well-calibrated response consistent with international humanitarian law. So, I want to thank Iranian leadership for its support and its offer for mediation, which we accepted but India rejected,” he added.
He said that during his visit, he would also discuss the bilateral relations and issues of mutual interests.
The prime minister also appreciated the excellent bilateral ties between the brotherly countries, adding Islamabad and Tehran would continue to support each other on issues of Muslim Ummah and regional cooperation.
Responding to another question, he said that he strongly believed there could be no peace and justice in the region till resolution of Kashmir and Palestine issues, reiterating that it was critically important that these issues should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri and Palestinian people.
About Iran-US talks, the prime minister said they believed that negotiations, diplomacy and engagement were the best solutions because, in this way, they could avoid conflicts and wars.
“It is important to promote peace, development and security in the region. I have great faith in Iran’s leadership. I am quite hopeful that positive things will come out of these negotiations. On behalf of Pakistan, I wish peace and stability prevailing in the region,” he added.
To a question, the prime minister said they were grateful to Iran for its offer of mediation during the recent conflict with India, which showed its sincerity and wisdom, in promoting peace and stability in the region and thanked President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araqchi for their efforts to defuse tensions in South Asia.
