Iran FM praises JI for support

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman Tuesday met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Tehran. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, situation in Gaza and broader regional cooperation. The JI leader is currently on visit to Iran. Araghchi thanked Pakistan for standing with Iran in its conflict against Israel and congratulated Pakistani people on victory in the war.

He said the West was punishing Iran for its consistent support to Palestine, adding Israel’s existence posed a serious threat to peace across the Muslim world. The Iranian foreign minister noted recent conflicts had brought Pakistan and Iran closer, stressing the need to remain steadfast in their joint struggle.

He also expressed appreciation for Jamaat-e-Islami’s demonstrations in support of Palestine and Iran, recalling the ideological bonds between Maulana Maududi and Imam Khomeini before the Islamic Revolution. Araghchi mentioned his doctoral dissertation had been written on Jamaat-e-Islami. Rehman said he had come to Tehran to express solidarity with Iranian government and people, assuring the entire Pakistani nation stood firmly with its Iranian brothers.

“Our two nations are like one soul in two bodies,” he remarked, stressing Pakistanis think beyond religious beliefs. He thanked Iran for backing Pakistan on Kashmir and during the recent Pakistan-India conflict. The JI chief underlined his party had always worked for closer Pakistan-Iran relations and for the unity of Muslim Ummah.

He called for Pakistan’s foreign policy to be free from US pressure, and urged both the countries to move beyond minor differences to pursue shared goals of peace, economic progress and brotherhood. The JI leader said it was time for Islamabad and Tehran to open a new chapter of friendship and cooperation.