Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor with his Iranian counterpart. PHOTO: ISPR
DG ISPR Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor, flanked by his Iranian counterpart, has addressed a joint press conference after the COAS Gen Qamar Bajwa met Iranian officials as part of his official visit to Tehran.
On behalf of the Pakistani army chief, he thanked the Iranian military and government for hospitality extended during the visit.
Gen Asif Ghafoor briefed Iranian media about Pakistan’s efforts, achievements and sacrifices in war against terror and towards regional peace.
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He also thanked Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for his ‘supportive statement’ on Kashmir issue. "Kashmir is long pending dispute between India and Pakistan. Regional peace and security remains at stake unless it’s resolved to the aspiration of Kashmiris in line with UN Resolution," Ghafoor said.
Pakistan wished peace in Afghanistan and supported all initiatives towards achieving the goal, said the DG ISPR. “We have done everything on Pakistan side of the border. There are no terrorist sanctuaries inside Pakistan,” he added.
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Maj-Gen Ghafoor said ISIS was growing in Afghanistan as threat to the whole region and a combined approach was required to defeat the threat.
“State of Pakistan has stated that our relations with Iran are not at the cost of our relations with any other country and vice a versa. We greatly value our relations with Iran which have a positive history bonded by history, culture and religion.”
"In Pakistan we say that prerogative of declaring jihad rests only with state and armed forces are state instrument for its application against anti state elements," Ghafoor added.
Iranian officer also thanked Pakistani delegation for their visit to Iran and acknowledged the supportive suggestions made by Army Chief Gen Qamar. He assured that Iranian soil shall not be used against Pakistan.
At the end of conference, Maj-Gen Ghafoor said: “The Pakistani delegation leaves Iran with positive feelings and strengthening relations.”
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