ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to make joint efforts for peace and stability in the region including Afghanistan.
The understanding was reached at a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif who arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit yesterday.
The two foreign ministers also expressed concern over the tendency of rising Islamophobia in some European countries and made it clear that blasphemy and anti-Muslim attitudes under the garb of freedom of expression is not acceptable at all.
They exchanged views on bilateral relations, promotion of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields and the coronavirus pandemic. They also discussed improved border management, promotion of mutual contacts and provision of better facilities to the visiting pilgrims.
On the occasion, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan and Iran can benefit from regional and other important forums for the promotion of cooperation in bilateral trade, investment, security and other areas of mutual interest.
Expressing grief and sorrow over deaths due to COVID-19 in Iran, the foreign minister appreciated the Iranian government’s efforts to control spread of the pandemic.
Qureshi said durable peace in Afghanistan is imperative for peace and stability in the region. He said the Afghan leadership has a unique opportunity in the form of intra-Afghan dialogue and should not miss this opportunity.
He also apprised his Iranian counterpart of India’s atrocities and gross human rights violations in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
