-FM holds talks with Iranian President
-Hails efforts for establishing border markets, new crossing point
-Iranian President expresses desire to further boost ties with Pakistan
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday held a discussion on showing a common resolve against xenophobia, intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief.
The discussion took place during a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani in Tehran.
“While discussing rising Islamophobia, Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated convergence between Pakistan and Iran to show a common resolve against xenophobia, intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The foreign minister conveyed warm greetings on behalf of Pakistani leadership to Dr Rouhani and best wishes for the fraternal Iranian people. Foreign Minister Qureshi lauded President Rouhani’s role in leading the nation during his tenure.
Foreign Minister Qureshi discussed with President Rouhani the ways and means to strengthen close bilateral relations, rooted in shared history, culture, faith and language. He underlined Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to strengthen ties with Iran in diverse field with emphasis on expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation and development.
The foreign minister thanked the Iranian president for support to the prime minister’s initiative to establish border markets, which would benefit people in the border region. The opening of international border crossing point at Mand-Pishin would facilitate pedestrian movement and enhance bilateral trade. Qureshi expressed gratitude for Iran’s consistent support to the Kashmiri people, especially from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Rouhani expressed happiness over Prime Minister Imran’s recovery from Covid-19. He reiterated Iran’s desire to enhance bilateral relations in diverse fields.
Agencies add: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday expressed his country’s commitment to further enhance bilateral relations with Pakistan in trade, investment, liaison and border management. The views were expressed as Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on the Iranian president at the Presidential Palace in Tehran, the Foreign Office said. The foreign minister, on behalf of President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, conveyed a message of goodwill to President Rouhani and the brotherly Iranian nation.
Qureshi said under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision, the government was committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Iran as well as promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields of mutual interest. He discussed with Iranian President various ways to further strengthen the long-standing fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran. He said the two countries had a cordial, close and strong relationship based on common history, culture, religion and language.
He said the Pakistani leadership paid tribute to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Rouhani for their continued support to Pakistan’s stance regarding the people of Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Rahim Hayat Qureshi was present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday said as Pakistan was focused on geographical economic priorities, its ambassadors could play exemplary role in strengthening country’s economy through economic diplomacy. He expressed these views during his visit to Pakistan’s Embassy in Tehran, where he was welcomed by Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi, senior officers and staff of Embassy.
The Foreign Minister said that there existed ample opportunities of further strengthening and enhancing bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.
He directed the diplomats for making serious efforts to boost bilateral economic cooperation and the volume of trade between Pakistan and Iran. The Foreign Minister on this occasioned visited various sections of the Embassy including the Consular Section. Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi briefed Foreign Minister Qureshi in detail about the performance of Embassy as well as the facilities being provided by it including the issuance of passport and visa.
The Foreign Minister while expressing satisfaction over the facilities being provided by the Embassy said that the welfare of Overseas Pakistanis was among the priorities of the present government. He appreciated the services rendered by the Embassy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foreign Minister on this occasion also penned his views in the visitors’ book placed in the Embassy.
