Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran have expressed their strong and unequivocal condemnation of the ongoing Israeli regime’s aggression and atrocities against Palestinians, along with the inhumane blockade of the Gaza that has resulted in widespread death and destruction as well as displacement of millions of Palestinian people, according to a joint statement issued by Pakistan Foreign Office on Wednesday.
Islamabad and Tehran called for an immediate and unconditional truce, unimpeded humanitarian access to the besieged Gazans, return of the displaced Palestinians, as well as ensuring accountability of the crimes being committed by the Israeli regime.
They reiterated their support for a just, comprehensive, and durable solution based on the aspirations of the people of Palestine, the statement added.
Dispute of Kashmir
It maintained that the two sides highlighted the need to resolve the issue of Kashmir through talks and peaceful means based on the will of the people of that region, and in accordance with global law.
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to further expand trade and economic cooperation and affirmed their commitment to transform their common border from ‘border of peace’ to a ‘border of prosperity’.
Border of Peace and Friendship
The statement said that the two sides acknowledged that the Pakistan-Iran common border should be the ‘border of peace and friendship’, both sides reiterated the importance of forging regular cooperation and exchange of views between military, political, and security officials of the two nations to combat threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, money-laundering, hostage-taking, and abduction.
“Islamabad and Tehran agreed to setting up of joint border markets, economic free zones, and new border openings. The two sides also reiterated the significance of cooperation in the energy domain, including power transmission lines, trade in electricity, and IP Gas Pipeline Project. The two nations agreed to boost their bilateral trade to USD10 billion over the next five years. They also underscored the imperative of a long-term strong economic partnership and collaborative regional connectivity and economic model, especially for socio-economic development in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province and Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan Province.”
Terrorism and Regional Peace
“While condemning terrorism in all its shapes and manifestations, they recognized that terrorism posed a common threat to regional stability and peace and presented a major impediment to the development and progress of the region”, the joint statement said.
Tourism
Highlighting the historical, cultural, religious and civilizational ties between the two neighboring and Muslim countries, they reiterated their commitment and dedication to further strengthening these bonds through promotion of academic, cultural and tourism activities, and by enhancing tourism to historic religious sites in both nations.
Afghanistan
They reaffirmed their commitment to the development of Afghanistan as a united, peaceful, sovereign and independent state, free from the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking, it added. Noting that the existence of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to regional and world security, they reaffirmed their willingness to enhance cooperation on security and counter-terrorism to develop a united front against terrorism.
They noted the relevance of coordinating regional and global efforts to ensure security and stability in the region, and also emphasized the positive contribution of current regional forums towards this end. While respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan, they sides recognized that increasing participation of all strata of Afghans in basic decision-making will lead to the strengthening of stability and peace in this country.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, paid an official trip to Pakistan from 22 April to 24 April. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister of Iran, Amir Abdollahian, as well as other members of the cabinet and senior officials.
Raisi held delegation-level talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif. A number of MoUs and Agreements were also signed during the visit.
Iran’s President expressed his appreciation to the PM of Pakistan for the warm and generous hospitality extended to the Iranian delegation. He also extended cordial invitations to the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to pay official visits to Tehran.
