Iran FM arrives in Pakistan

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a two-day state visit and will meet senior military and civilian officials.

Zarif is expected to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and the country's military leadership. This will be the first visit by a foreign minister after the formation of the new government.

Earlier this month, the Iranian ambassador in a meeting with PM Imran Khan expressed his country’s willingness to deepen trade ties with Pakistan.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also telephoned Imran after election results were announced and congratulated him over his party’s victory. Imran accepted Rouhani’s invitation for a visit to Tehran.

Earlier in August, Pakistan said it reserves the right to ‘pursue legitimate economic and commercial interests’ with Iran in the wake of re-imposition of sanctions on Tehran by US President Donald Trump, who warned that the countries doing business with the Islamic states might also face the music.

“We are examining the implications of the US’ re-imposed sanctions on Iran,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal told reporters at his weekly news briefing.

“However, Pakistan, being a sovereign state, reserves the right to pursue legitimate economic and commercial interests while respecting the international legal regime,” Faisal added.

Japanese ambassador meets National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser 

Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai met with National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser on Thursday.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser presents a souvenir to Japanese Ambassador, Takashi Kurai in the Parliament house on August 30,2018. PHOTO:FILE

Qaiser said Pakistan respects its parliamentary links with Japan and the East Asian country holds a unique status in the region regarding industrial and economic development.

He went on to say as part of the current government’s aims to improve foreign ties, Pakistan wishes to promote investment with Japan in every field. The countries supported each other in difficult times and share the values of democracy and human freedom.



He also said that he hoped Japan would benefit from the Pak-China economic corridor project (CPEC).

Kurai congratulated Qaiser on becoming National Assembly speaker. He expressed Japan’s desire to strengthen its relationship and cooperation with Pakistan, specifically with regards to the energy sector.

He impressed the importance of their cooperation for development and prosperity in the region.



Japan would continue cooperation to promote economic development in Pakistan and Kurai agreed with Qaiser’s comments on promoting economic and trade relations between the two countries.

He said Japan would make efforts to enhance education, energy and information technology sectors in Pakistan.

The National Assemby’s official twitter account put up a video of the meeting.

https://twitter.com/NAofPakistan/status/1035083117076328448