Zardari, Raisi discuss Gaza, bilateral ties

Pakistan and Iran have reiterated the need for enhanced international endeavours to bring an end to Israeli genocide in Gaza. The two countries have also called for more humanitarian relief and assistance for the beleaguered people of the Palestinian enclave.

During a meeting at the President House on Monday, President Asif Ali Zardari and visiting Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi discussed key regional and global developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East.

According to an official statement issued by the Presidency, President Zardari expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. He strongly condemned Israel’s military aggression against the people of Gaza that had resulted in the killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians.

He assured that Pakistan would consistently and unequivocally support the Palestinian cause.

The Iranian president appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support for their Palestinian brethren during the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

President Zardari appreciated Iran’s principled stance and its consistent support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their right to self-determination.

President Raisi emphasized the need for further expanding and consolidating bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest. He said the interest of the two brotherly countries called for further cementing economic, trade and cultural relations.

Zardari said that Pakistan and Iran enjoy close fraternal ties based on shared religion, culture, and history, which needed to be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.

He thanked Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi for being the first head of state to visit Pakistan after the general elections, which reflected the deep personal commitment of the Iranian President to Pakistan.

Both sides underscored the need for operationalizing bilateral trade mechanisms to boost the volume of trade up to $10 billion. The two countries also urged the need to work together to overcome the challenges being faced by the region.