PM backs Iran's right to peaceful N-programme

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday declared Pakistan's full support for Iran's right to have a civilian nuclear programme and assured Tehran that Islamabad would work with it on all issues of mutual concern.

Shehbaz arrived in Tehran on the second leg of his regional tour. He held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at Sa'dabad Palace. The prime minister also called on Iranian Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

The prime minister was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarrar.

Following the delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Pezeshkian addressed the joint media stakeout. On the occasion, Shehbaz expressed gratitude to Iran for its support during the recent escalation between Pakistan and India.

The prime minister affirmed Pakistan's support for Iran's peaceful nuclear programme. "We stand with our Iranian brothers and reaffirm our support for Iran's peaceful nuclear programme," he said. "Pakistan fully supported Iran's right to have civilian nuclear programme."

Shehbaz told the media that Pakistan stood by its brothers and sisters in Iran to promote peace, progress and prosperity. He assured the Iranian leadership that Pakistan would work with Iran on all issues of mutual concern.

The prime minister stated that Pakistan came out of the recent crisis with India as victorious because of "the brave actions of our outstanding armed forces", who were strongly supported by the people of Pakistan. He repeated his offer of talks with India for the sake of peace in the region.

"We want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks … and resolve our outstanding issues, including Kashmir, according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions which were acknowledged even by the Indian Lok Sabha when Nehru was the prime minister of India," he said.

"For the sake of peace, we are ready for talk on different issues, including water, trade and also counter-terrorism if India is serious," he added. "If they accept our offer, we want to talk for the sake of peace. If India remains aggressive, Pakistan shall defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he warned.

Earlier, Shehbaz and Pezeshkian held wide ranging talks. Both sides resolved to enhance cooperation to boost bilateral trade and investment and work together for maintaining peace and security in the region. Shehbaz told the media that he had a productive meeting with President Pezeshkian.

"There was total agreement that the two brotherly neigbouring countries must enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, investment and economy," he said. "We have decided to transform these relations into a very productive cooperation."

While welcoming the prime minister and his delegation, the Iranian president said that the two countries should cooperate on making their borders secure from the activities of terrorists and criminal groups. He said that peaceful bilateral relations were in the interest of the two countries.

The president welcomed the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, saying that settling issues through dialogue was essential for stability in the region. He urged both sides to have positive consultations with each other and with international partners.

The Iranian president told reporters that the two sides discussed issues facing the Islamic world and the top priority was the issue of Palestine. "As always we support the cause of Palestine and condemn the atrocities carried out by Israel," he added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that Pakistan condemned Israeli actions which were causing untold misery for the people of Gaza, where more than 50,000 Palestinians were murdered by the Israel forces. "It is high time that the international community uses its influence to bring lasting ceasefire in Palestine."

Meeting with Khamenei

Later, the prime minister, along with his delegation, paid a courtesy call on Iranian Supreme Leader Dr Sayyed Ali Khamenei and briefed him about recent conflict with India, and India's hegemonic and revisionist designs. He thanked the leadership of Iran for supporting Pakistan against Indian aggression.

He also briefed the Supreme Leader about the steps taken to elevate Pakistan-Iran ties to the highest levels and maintained that his government was committed to further deepen strategic cooperation with Iran in the complex geo-political times.

Dr Khamenei appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz in promoting regional peace and stability with farsightedness. He praised his personal commitment to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations and prayed for greater prosperity, growth, and development of Pakistan and its people.

$10 billion trade

Prior to his visit to Tehran, Prime Minister Shehbaz said in an interview with IRNA that the trade between Pakistan and Iran had witnessed a significant increase in the past three to four years, adding that it would be taken to $10 billion in the next few years from the current $3 billion.

"We want to take it up to $10 billion in the next few years, but I think the potential is much greater than that as well. We are discussing signing a free trade agreement [FTA]. I think in the next 10 years, the trade volume between the two countries will expand a great deal," he said.

For that purpose, the prime minister stressed the need for having sustained economic engagements in the long-term. "I personally believe that strong economic linkage between Pakistan's Balochistan and Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan … can be very effective in dealing with terrorism," he added.

Speaking about his Iran's visit, the prime minister said that the objective of his visit was to thank Iran for supporting and standing by Pakistan during the conflict with India. "I want to thank Iranian leadership for its support and its offer for mediation, which we accepted but India rejected," he added.

Responding to a question, he said that there could be no peace and justice in the region till resolution of the Kashmir and the Palestine issues, reiterating that it was critically important that these issues should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri and the Palestinian peoples.

When asked about Iran-US talks, the prime minister said that the negotiations, diplomacy and engagement were the best solutions. "I have great faith in Iran's leadership. I am quite hopeful that positive things will come out of these negotiations."

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)