Zarif’s visit: Iran offers cooperation against abductors

Two sides pledge to strengthen bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD:  

Iran’s Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif has said that Pakistan has given him a firm assurance that all necessary steps will be taken to trace the abducted Iranian guards.

Zarif’s statement comes after his talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his daylong, unannounced visit to Pakistan.

This was Zarif’s second trip to the country since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government took charge in August. The latest one came against the backdrop of the abduction of 12 Iranian guards on October 16 by Jaishul Adl, a terrorist outfit active along the Pakistan-Iran border.

Believing that the abducted guards were taken to Pakistan, Tehran has been urging Islamabad to take action against those responsible. Tehran has also offered Islamabad support for a joint operation against the group.

Zarif told the Iranian media on landing back home that the main purpose of his visit to Pakistan was to get a briefing from the authorities there about the steps taken by them to recover the abducted guards.



A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that Foreign Minister Qureshi, while welcoming his Iranian counterpart, expressed desire to strengthen the existing bilateral relationship. He stated that frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries manifested the warmth in bilateral relations.

“Pakistan and Iran enjoy close brotherly relations. Both countries have stood by each other in difficult moments. Growing challenges in the region provide both Pakistan and Iran an opportunity to work even closer,” he said.

Both sides underscored the need to promote bilateral relations in all areas including political, economic and defence cooperation, according to the FO statement. They also agreed to continue close consultations through the established multipronged mechanism between them.

The Iranian foreign finister reiterated that Pakistan-Iran relations were deep-rooted in complete trust and solidarity. “Detractors will not succeed in weakening our mutual resolve to further strengthen our cooperation,” he said.

Qureshi also emphasised that this objective could only be achieved through better communication, mutual trust and understanding. He stressed that Pakistan greatly values Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's unswerving support for the just struggle of the people of Kashmir.

Foreign Minister Zarif thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for their hospitality