Iran, Pakistan reiterate resolve to back Kashmiris, Palestinians

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran reiterated support for peaceful struggle of the peoples of Palestine and Kashmir for their right to self determination. The two countries also emphasised the need for honouring the JCPOA commitments by all the parties.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Javad Zarif arrived here on a three-day visit. Iran sent out a strong message to the Pakistani leadership that Iran’s relations with India are not aimed against Pakistan, and the Iranian leadership will not let its soil be used against Pakistan.

Of importance also is the fact that “two brotherly neighbouring countries Iran and Pakistan would deepen connectivity between the two sister ports of Gwadar and Chahbahar to benefit from their complementarities.”

Zarif appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for strengthening border management to prevent illegal cross border activities. He invited Pakistan and China to invest in the port of Chabahar strategically situated at the mouth of Straits of Hormuz and said both countries will need to cooperate for ending terrorism in the region.

“Consultations were held on bilateral relations and regional peace and security with Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Foreign Minister of Pakistan, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the statement added.

The visiting dignitary is heading a 30-member delegation, which will hold talks on several bilateral issues. Zarif met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain was due.

The prime minister expressed his commitment to work to resolve the issues in implementation of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project including the financing of pipeline infrastructure and the scope of snap back clause.

Zarif’s visit comes at a time when both countries are commemorating the 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and Pakistan, where both foreign ministers also exchanged views on important developments on regional and international peace and security.

“They supported the political resolution of the Afghan conflict for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan, and the region,” said the Foreign Office.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is related to projects including the Pakistan–Iran gas pipeline and other energy issues which had earlier been halted due to sanctions and the American pressure.

Of importance during discussions at the Foreign Office were views expressed by both sides concerning growing presence of Daesh in Afghanistan and its implications for regional security. The two sides underlined the need for further cooperation against trans-national terrorist groups.

“Pakistan and Iran strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and appreciated increased cooperation in border security. To facilitate movement of people and goods across the border, it was agreed to expedite operationalization of two new border crossings,” the statement said.

The two sides agreed to continue engagement for enhancing economic cooperation including bilateral trade, investments and commercial interaction to promote shared prosperity, it said. They reiterated their resolve to achieve the target of $5 billion by 2021 through regular exchange of trade delegations, establishing banking channels, holding trade exhibitions and addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers, it said, adding they further resolved to conclude the FTA on priority.

While addressing the Pak Iran Business Forum on Monday, the Iranian foreign minister shared that there has been a 50 percent increase in trade between Pakistan and Iran since last year. “Together we can move towards free trade agreement,” he said adding that Pakistan and Iran are leading Muslim countries in different industries. Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif also weighed in on the topic and remarked that the trade activity between Pakistan and Iran has increased in the past two years.