TEHRAN, Iran: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held delegation-level talks with his Iran Iranian Counterpart Dr. Javad Zarif in Tehran on April 21, and reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, highlighting the commonality of views on important regional and international issues.
During the discussion, Shah Mahmood reaffirmed the resolve to enhance bilateral relations in all areas to the mutual advantage of both the Countries.
The foreign minister underlined that vast potential existed which could be tapped to further strengthen trade and economic relations. He called for regular exchanges of relevant mechanisms to tap their true potential.
The foreign minister expressed satisfaction over the close coordination at the multilateral fora on issues of common interest.
Great to meet brother @JZarif for a multi faceted discussion on trade, connectivity, cultural cooperation, establishment of Border Sustenance Marketplaces, opening up new border crossings & greater people-to-people Together we will work towards curbing the spread of Islamophobia. pic.twitter.com/9C38qAjALQ
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 21, 2021
Drawing the attention to the human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), Qureshi expressed gratitude for Iran’s steadfast and vocal support to the Kashmiris, especially at the highest level.
Qureshi also discussed the regional security situation with a particular focus on the latest developments in the Afghan Peace Process.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent support to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, the foreign minister highlighted the convergence of views between Pakistan and Iran on the shared objective of an inclusive politically negotiated settlement.
The foreign minister briefed the Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Javad Zarif on Pakistan’s initiative to combat Islamophobia and thanked for Iran’s support in this regard.
It was agreed that the two Countries would continue to collaborate closely to counter the rising trend of Islamophobia.
Prior to the delegation-level talks, the two foreign ministers signed an MoU on the Establishment of Border Sustenance Marketplaces.
Following dialogue between PM @ImranKhanPTI and President @HassanRouhani, pleased to sign MoU w/ FM @JZarif on establishment of 6 Border Sustenance Marketplaces promoting eco uplift of 🇵🇰🇮🇷 border populations, giving respective populace formal/legal means to engage in commerce. pic.twitter.com/bNvElqnw9J
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 21, 2021
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked for Iran’s support to border markets, which will help the local population on both sides by providing them with formal means to engage in mutually beneficial commerce.
The opening of international border crossing point at Mand-Pishin was also highlighted as a step towards facilitating people on both sides of the Pakistan-Iran border.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in Tehran on a three-day official visit from April 20-22, 2021 as part of the regular high-level exchanges between the two Countries.
