TEHRAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran today (Thursday) and discussed bilateral ties and evolving situation in Afghanistan.
According to a statement issued by Foreign Office (FO), he was accompanied by Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s envoy to Tehran, Rahim Hayat Qureshi and senior officials from Foreign Ministry.
Privileged to meet President
Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi in #Iran. Conveyed warmth of our leadership & shared PM @ImranKhanPTI’s invitation to visit ????????. I also discussed Pakistan’s outlook for a coordinated approach between all neighbours of Afghanistan for peace and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/mHHpRVWkhI— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 26, 2021
FM Qureshi conveyed heartfelt felicitations to President Raisi from Pakistani leadership on victory in presidential election. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire to work with Iran in all areas to further strengthen fraternal ties.
The Foreign Minister thanked President Raisi for Iran’s consistent support on Kashmir issue, specially from the supreme leader. On the latest situation in Afghanistan, he apprised President Raisi on Pakistan’s perspective and underlined coordinated approach.
He added that it was important for the neighbours of Afghanistan to continue consultations on the way forward as the peace in Afghanistan would lead to economic and political benefits for the region.
Welcoming FM Qureshi, President Raisi recalled excellent bilateral ties between the two countries. He appreciated the foreign minister’s visit for strengthening regional approach in the wake of situation in Afghanistan and expressed hope that Afghanistan would achieve peace and stability.
FM Qureshi extended invitation, on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan to President Raisi to visit Pakistan. President Raisi accepted the invitation.
Separately, FM Qureshi also met with his Iranian counterpart Dr Amir Abdullahian at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran, according to FO. The foreign minister congratulated his Iranian counterpart on getting endorsement from the country’s parliament on his appointment.
Reaffirming desire to enhance bilateral relations in all areas, the foreign minister remarked that Pakistan considered Iran a close neighbour and important country.
In the bilateral context, the Foreign Minister recalled his previous visit to Tehran in April 2021, during which the two countries signed MoU on establishment of Border Sustenance Markets. Coupled with opening of new border crossing point, Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined that both the initiatives would improve livelihood of the people in the border region and facilitate movement.
