Iranian FM calls on PM, COAS

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in separate meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has agreed that unity, integrity and harmony within the Muslim Ummah are important.
The prime minister stressed the need to ponder ways and means to bring the Yemen conflict to an end at the earliest by peaceful means.It has been officially stated that bilateral relations and regional issues of common concern came under discussion during the meeting between Zarif and Nawaz Sharif.
The prime minister stated that Iran was a brotherly nation and an important neighbour with which the government and the people of Pakistan desired friendly and cooperative ties. The prime minister expressed serious concern over the deteriorating situation in Yemen which, he said, is so grave that it may endanger fellow Muslim countries. “Beside the loss of innocent lives, the crisis can undermine the unity of the Muslim world,” he said. He emphasised that it was incumbent on all the Muslim countries to use their influence to counsel restraint and promote a spirit of mutual accommodation.
Referring to the debate in the joint session of parliament, the prime minister stated that the people of Pakistan held the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in high esteem and would stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Saudi Arabia if its territorial integrity was violated.
Nawaz expressed concern of the Government of Pakistan on the overthrow of Yemen’s legitimate government by non-state actors by use of force. The premier stated that it was the shared responsibility of all States to refrain from actions that disturbed peace and stability in any country.
The prime minister informed the Iranian foreign minister of his efforts to promote peace in Yemen. He expressed the hope that the leadership of the Muslim countries would recognise that the continuing conflict in Yemen represents a serious threat to the Ummah and, therefore, they must work together to find a negotiated settlement of this issue.
Zarif briefed the prime minister on the understanding his country had reached with the P5 +1 on the nuclear issue. The prime minister expressed satisfaction on the peaceful resolution of the issue and wished further success in conclusion of a comprehensive agreement by June 2015. Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alireza Haghighian, Governor General Sistan-Balochistan Ali Osat Iashemil and Adviser of the Minister and Deputy of Media Diplomacy Sayyed Mohammad Ali Hosseni accompanied the Iranian foreign minister. Adviser to the PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM Syed Tariq Fatemi, Secretary to PM Javed Aslam, Additional Secretary to PM Fawad Hasan Fawad and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also attended the meeting.APP adds from Rawalpindi: Javad Zarif visited the General Headquarters and called on General Raheel Sharif.
Focus of the discussion remained on regional security, including the evolving situation in the Middle East, Pak-Iran border management and defence and security cooperation between both the countries.
During the meeting, the unity and integrity of Muslim Ummah and greater harmony amongst the Muslims was emphasised, the ISPR said.The Iranian foreign minister appreciated the achievements of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and paid rich tributes to Pakistan’s sacrifices in bringing peace and stability in the region.
Asim Yasin adds: Javad Zarif also held separate meetings with Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani and Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq at the Parliament House and exchanged views to strengthen the parliamentary cooperation and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.
The meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere where ways and means to further intensify Pak-Iran bilateral relations besides forging unity in the Muslim Ummah were discussed.Raza Rabbani said Pakistan strongly believes in peaceful and negotiated settlement of the situation in Yemen.
The NA speaker welcomed the Iranian foreign minister and underlined the importance the people and the Government of Pakistan attached to the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries.
He congratulated Iran on the successful negotiations in Switzerland leading to the agreement on Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme. The speaker also spoke about the ongoing military initiative against the militants in the tribal belt of Pakistan.
The Iranian foreign minister agreed that Muslim leaders should play their role in bringing the Ummah on the same page to counter common threats and challenges. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar hosted a luncheon in the honour of Javad Zarif and members of the accompanying delegation.
In a meeting preceding the lunch, the finance minister exchanged views with the Iranian foreign minister on Pak-Iran economic cooperation.Both sides agreed on enhancing the bilateral trade, believing there was a lot of potential for cooperation in this realm.