Zardari, Raisi for more info exchanges on security

President speaks with Iranian counterpart; condemns Israeli attack on consulate

KARACHI:

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday underlined the need for enhancing the exchange of information with Iran to overcome the security challenges being faced by the two countries.

Zardari spoke with Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi by the telephone. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the Iranian leadership and the bereaved families, who lost their dear ones in the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus this month.

The president also expressed his concern over the humanitarian crisis and the genocide being committed by the Israeli forces and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

While exchanging greetings on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, President Zardari assured his Iranian counterpart that Pakistan would continue to work with Iran in all areas of mutual interest to further boost bilateral cooperation.

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He also extended an invitation to the Iranian president to visit Pakistan. The president also wished the Iranian president and his family continued well-being, health and happiness.

The telephone call came amid reports that the Iranian president was expected to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in the third week of this month as part of efforts to remove mistrust after the two exchanged missiles in January.

There is no official word yet from either side about the exact dates of the visit but sources had told The Express Tribune that Raisi would be in Islamabad on April 22 on the first visit by any head of state to Pakistan since the new government took charge.

Iran launched missile strikes in Balochistan on January 16, claiming that it targeted terrorist hideouts. Pakistan rejected the claim and retaliated with its own strikes inside Iran, bringing the two neighbours on the verge of potential war.

However, the situation de-escalated quickly after high-level contact and both sides agreed to restore diplomatic ties and set new terms of engagements to avoid future escalation.

(APP WITH INPUT FROM OUT ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT)