Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.
PHOTO: FILE
Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif condemned the terrorist attack on the Makran Coastal Highway in Balochistan which killed at least 14 people on Thursday.
The attack came ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan's maiden visit to Iran this Sunday.
"Strongly condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pakistan, just as the premier embarks on his first, historic visit to Iran," the Iranian FM said in a tweet.
Zarif stated that terrorists, extremists and their sponsors are terrified by close relations between Muslim states, adding that, "Iran stands with the people and the government of Pakistan."
Strongly condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pakistan, just as PM @ImranKhanPTI embarks on his first, historic visit to Iran.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 19, 2019
Terrorists, extremists & their sponsors are terrified by close relations between Muslim states.
Iran stands with the people & govt. of Pakistan.
Islamabad on Saturday lodged a strong protest with Tehran over the country’s inaction against the group allegedly responsible for the attack on Makran Coastal Highway which killed at least 14 people.
The protest was lodged through a letter sent to the Iranian embassy in the federal capital and demanded action against banned outfits operating across the south-eastern border.
Pakistan lodges protest with Iran over inaction against Ormara attackers
“Several times in the past, demands had been put forward to Iran to take action against the banned outfits,” the letter stated.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will depart for a two-day official visit to Iran on Sunday to further strengthen bilateral ties in diverse fields, Radio Pakistan reported.
The premier paying the visit to Tehran on the invitation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
During the visit, the prime minister will call on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khamenei, besides holding detailed consultations with President Rouhani.
Imran Khan will also meet members of the Iranian and Pakistani business community in Iran.
Pakistan’s relations with Iran are marked by close historic and cultural linkages and strong people to people exchanges.
Both Pakistan and Iran are also members of the Economic Cooperation Organisation and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
A high-level delegation will accompany the premier to Iran, which includes Ministers for Finance, Human Rights, Maritime Affairs and Inter-Provincial Coordination and several senior officials.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ