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Building close relations with Iran our top priority: Foreign Minister Bilawal

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  • “We have come closer to resolving major obstacles in expanding trade,” Bilawal says.
  • The foreign minister is in Iran on a two-day official visit.
  • He adds the two sides have also committed to enhancing energy cooperation.

TEHRAN: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday reiterated the resolve to further strengthen bilateral relations in all dimensions during the maiden visit of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Radio Pakistan reported.

Addressing a joint news conference alongside his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran, the foreign minister said Iran is an important neighbour and brother of Pakistan and building close relations with Iran remains “our high priority”.

Bilawal, while sharing the details of his meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, said they took stock of the entire gamut of bilateral relations and identified ways to further strengthen the bilateral relations in trade, investment, connectivity, border management, facilitation of pilgrims, cultural and educational cooperation and enhancing people to people contacts.

“We have come closer to resolving one of the major obstacles in expanding trade through operationalisation of party trade mechanism, formalisation of cross border exchanges through opening new border crossings and promotion of trade through cross border markets,” said Bilawal.

Reiterating the commitment to enhance commercial and economic activities for the prosperity of the two peoples, Bilawal said: “We have also committed to enhancing energy cooperation by importing additional electricity from Iran.”

He further added that during his meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, they also discussed the exchange of sentenced prisoners under the existing legal frameworks to allow them to complete their sentences in their respective countries.

Appreciating Iran’s facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims, the foreign minister said he discussed additional facilities for pilgrims.

Bilawal said: “We also discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan especially the dire humanitarian saturation there as both Pakistan and Iran are directly affected by conflict and instability in Afghanistan.”

He stated that the two sides have agreed that the Afghan people should be supported including through access to frozen assets. He said the world expects from Afghan authorities a move towards inclusivity and an effective counter-terrorism action.

The foreign minister said he has briefed his Iranian counterpart about the serious human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).

Bilawal said he also discussed the rising tide of Islamophobia and the recent derogatory remarks made by officials in India that deeply offended Muslims across the world. He revealed: “We have agreed that it is time for the international community to show common resolve against Islamophobia, Xenophobia and intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief.”

Referring to Iran’s engagement with western partners on 2015 Nuclear Deal, the foreign minister said they look forward to the day when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reaches a conclusion that is right of the people of Iran and creates a more conducive environment.

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11 are killed and other coal workers are injured in the Harnai blast.

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An explosion in the Shahrag neighborhood of the Harnai region of Balochistan on Friday claimed the lives of at least 11 persons and injured a number more.

Police say the explosion happened close to a car that was transporting coal mine personnel. They said that numerous injured people are in critical condition.

After arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers began gathering evidence.

Eleven laborers were confirmed dead in the explosion by the deputy commissioner of Harnai. Swat and Shangla were responsible for the majority of the fatalities and injuries.

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Ties Between Pakistan and Turkey: Pakistan Is Our Second Home Erdoğan Emine

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Emine Erdoğan, the First Lady of Turkey, has underlined the pressing need for international environmental action.
Speaking at the Environmental Sustainability event in Islamabad, Emine Erdoğan emphasized the two nations’ long-standing friendship.
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz also addressed the event.

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Terrorism Out of the Nation: Security Forces Kill 13 Khwarij in Five KP Engagements

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In five separate encounters in the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces have killed thirteen Khwarij.
ISPR reports that security personnel carried out an intelligence-based operation in the general vicinity of Khulachi, Dera Ismail Khan District, in response to the reported presence of Khwarij.
During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij Location, resultantly, Five Khwarij including Kharji Shah Gul Alias Rohani were sent to hell.
In two separate encounters in north Waziristan District, fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in general areas Dosali and Tappi. Resultantly, five Khwarij were effectively neutralized by own troops.

In another encounter that took place in Lakki Marwat District, Two Khwarij were sent to hell.

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