Terror a threat to regional stability, needs coordinated response: Gen Raheel

Tells Iranian defence minister Pakistan takes Iran as a very important Muslim country; stresses need for opening communication channels to defuse Saudi-Iran tension

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday met Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan in Tehran and discussed matters of regional security with him, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

General Sharif said Pakistan takes Iran as a very important neighbouring Muslim country and the people of Pakistan had great affinity with their Iranian brethren. Gen Raheel said terrorism was a global threat which had the potential of destabilizing the region needing a well-coordinated response.

The Iranian defence minister thanked General Raheel Sharif and the people of
Pakistan for their efforts for stablizing regional security. General Raheel Sharif also met Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Military Adviser to the Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During the meeting, matters related to regional security came under discussion.  Gen Raheel said regional security and stability were paramount and stressed the need for opening communication channels between Iran and Saudi Arabia to diffuse the tension.