Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Ali Hosseini
Ties between Pakistan and Iran are unique and peaceful with the potential to extend peace to their neighbours and regional countries. Tehran and Islamabad thus are part of the most important strategic members of this emerging world which can move to form a new regional bloc.
This was stated by Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Ali Hosseini while speaking at the Islamabad Strategic Studies Institute (ISSI) on Tuesday. The ambassador was speaking on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of friendly and close ties between Iran and Pakistan. The relations are based upon joint history, culture and civilisation, said the ambassador.
He further said, “Iran and Pakistan are passing through an important time of their bilateral relationship. We have reached a crucial moment, where the future of political power belongs to Asia.”
We have common views on most international and regional issues, he said, adding that the two countries also enjoy rich support of cultural, religious and historical affinities, and consider foreign occupation as the source of many disasters.
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“On the 72nd anniversary of establishment of relations between the two countries, we express our complete readiness for cooperation and support to Pakistan in achieving its development targets, just as we announced our support to Pakistan immediately after its independence in 1947,” the ambassador said, adding that Iran attaches high value to its eastern neighbour, which has stood by it through thick and thin.
The ambassador went on to add that around 40 days have passed since the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani - the day when Iran lost a leading commander, Lt Gen Soleimani. He also extolled the slain general.
Once again they have proved to everyone that they have no obligation and respect to international rules and laws.
The crime was not only to attack the national sovereignty of Iraq but also to target one of the elements ‘providing security’ in this region subject to different conspiracies from al Qaeda to ISIS and Al-Nusra Front.
Regional issues such as narcotics, terrorism and sectarianism have been exploited dexterously to undermine our peace and tranquillity, Hosseini said.
He urged South Asian countries to utilise their great potential and existing opportunities to boost cooperation and overcome regional issues.
Countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia and China have the potential to form a new alliance for a better future in the region, he proposed.
In current times, cooperation is the basis of development and progress. Countries like Iran and Pakistan, by utilising one another’s relative and absolute economic gains, can remove any type of hurdle. The two countries can become complementary to each other in economic affairs.
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Other fields of cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in the region include Organisation of Cooperation of Islamic Countries (OIC).
The most basic factor of the independence of Pakistan was Islam, that is why interaction with Islamic countries has been a priority in Pakistan’s foreign policy of Pakistan. As Iran also has been founded on principles of Islam, so Pakistan as an Islamic and neighbouring country attains a special place in the foreign policy of Iran.
In this connection, Iran and Pakistan have participated in most of the OIC conferences. Unfortunately, due to the role of some countries, this organisation has not been effective in addressing issues of the Islamic Ummah and taking positions in the support of the Islamic cause.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2020.
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