Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
- Pakistan expressed concern over recent Gulf region escalations and urged restraint.
- The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability during a meeting with Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who is on an official visit to Pakistan. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister House and was attended by several high-ranking officials including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Prime Minister Sharif recalled his recent visit to Tehran for the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei. He conveyed best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Expressing deep concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region, Prime Minister Sharif urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further destabilise the area. He reiterated Pakistan’s role as an ‘honest and sincere mediator and facilitator’ for regional peace and stability.
Iran's Interior Minister Momeni thanked the prime minister for the warm reception and conveyed greetings from Iran’s leadership. The Iranian minister stated he was leading a high-level delegation to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, highlighting Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
During their discussions, both sides expressed satisfaction with ongoing cooperation and agreed to further enhance collaboration in various fields including security, trade, and cultural exchanges. Momeni appreciated Prime Minister Sharif's efforts, particularly those of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, which contributed significantly to the Memorandum.
The meeting underscored the importance of maintaining strong ties between Pakistan and Iran in light of regional challenges. Both countries agreed on the need for constructive dialogue and cooperation to address common issues and promote mutual interests.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the significance of continued engagement with Iran to ensure peace and stability in the region. He expressed hope that such meetings would lead to tangible outcomes benefiting both nations.
