Pakistan and Iran resolve to strengthen ties and address common challenges after retaliatory attacks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran are determined to strengthen ties and address common challenges through cooperation, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Monday, during high-level talks between Iran’s foreign ministers during a visit to Islamabad.
Iranian FM Hossein Amir Abdullahian’s visit comes less than two weeks after the two countries exchanged missile strikes targeting alleged extremist targets in each other’s territory.
The airstrike was the most high-profile cross-border incursion between Pakistan and Iran in recent years and heightened fears of a new conflict in the Middle East since Israel launched a war with Hamas on October 7. .
On Monday, FM Abdullahian held a series of high-level talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, FM Jalil Abbas Gilani, Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir and others to try to mend relations after the retaliatory attacks. did.
In his meeting with Iran’s foreign minister, Prime Minister Kakar emphasized the close ties between the two countries and stressed the need for a cooperative approach to common challenges.
“The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties,” Prime Minister Kakar’s office said in a statement after the meeting. “The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to address common challenges through a collaborative and cooperative approach rooted in the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, especially respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both Pakistan and Iran.”
The airstrikes took place in the porous border region of Baluchestan province, divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, where there have been sporadic clashes between security forces, separatist militants and smugglers for years. .
However, both countries moved quickly to ease tensions, sending ambassadors who were recalled after the strike to their respective posts last week, followed by FM Abdullahian’s visit to Islamabad on Sunday.
Iran FM said in a joint press conference with its Pakistani counterpart Gilani on Monday that there is “no doubt” that militants hiding along the shared border with Pakistan are supported by “third countries”. , the two neighboring countries have agreed to form a foreign minister-level advisory body. An institution that examines bilateral cooperation and issues.
Pakistan has long accused its rivals and neighbors Afghanistan and India of stirring up unrest in the southwestern province of Balochistan, which borders Iran. Both men deny the charges.
“We consider the security of Pakistan as a brotherly and friendly neighbor, the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the security of the entire region,” Abdullahian said.
“We have agreed to establish a high-level advisory committee at the level of the foreign ministers of both countries or to meet in Islamabad and Pakistan,” he said, adding that the committee would “monitor progress.” We cooperate in various fields. ”
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, in separate talks with Pakistan Army Chiefs, both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and foster deeper understanding of each other’s concerns. emphasized.
“The COAS (Chief of Army Staff) emphasized that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the other country is sacred, inviolable and the most important cardinal of inter-state relations,” ISPR said in a statement. .
“Both sides agreed to early operationalize a mechanism for sending military liaisons to each other’s countries to improve coordination and efficiency of responses to common threats.”
ISPR said the two leaders reiterated their commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the border region, calling it an “essential requirement” for the well-being of people living on both sides.