ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Hunar Dost has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran could play a role regarding the Kashmir issue if both Pakistan and India desired so.
While talking to a private news channel, Mehdi Hunar Dost said that Iran and Pakistan were enjoying cordial relations as both supported each other on many issues.
The envoy said that the Iranian leadership had time and again declared that Pakistan’s security was that of theirs.
Iran was the first country which recognized Pakistan after independence and always helped it at difficult times, he said.
The Iranian ambassador said that Iran did not prefer others in its ties with Pakistan, adding that both the countries had unanimity of views on several issues.
Mehdi Hunar Dost said that some foreign elements were supporting terrorists in the region. He said that apparently they condemned terrorism but in fact they were behind the menace under cover.
The envoy said that both Pakistan and Iran were victims of terrorism and had rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against the menace. How could Pakistan involve in terrorist incidents when it itself was the victim, he added.
Pakistan had launched the operation Zarb-e-Azb to completely eliminate terrorism from its soil, he said.
As regards his country’s ties with Saudi Arabia, he said that Pakistan had its due role to defuse tension between the two countries, which was appreciable. The tense situation was not in the interest of both and the Muslim Ummah, he added.
To a query, he said his country did not accept any pressure on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. It had already laid pipeline up to the border with Pakistan, he added.
The Iranian envoy expressed the hope that the economic relations between the two countries would be further strengthened in future.
To another question, the ambassador said that Iran had a policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries.
