Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to cooperate with Iran in all areas to improve bilateral relations during a meeting with Iranian President Seyed Ibrahim Raisi in Tehran on Friday.
Qureshi briefed President Raisi on the current situation in Afghanistan, informed him of Pakistan’s perspective, and stressed the importance of a coordinated approach, according to a statement.
Shedding light on the way forward, he said, “It is important for the neighbors of Afghanistan for continued consultations on the way forward as peace in Afghanistan would lead to economic and political benefits for the region.”
During their discussion, the minister expressed the Pakistani leadership’s heartfelt congratulations to President Raisi on his win in the presidential election and the approval of the Cabinet by Parliament.
FM @SMQureshiPTI called on President of Iran, Seyed Ibrahim Raisi today. FM conveyed heartfelt felicitations to President Raisi from Pakistani leadership on victory in presidential election and apprised the President on Pakistan’s perspective on #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/nA8uEnBslu
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 26, 2021
President Raisi was praised by Qureshi for Iran’s unwavering support for Kashmir, particularly from the country’s supreme authorities.
President Raisi welcomed the foreign minister and emphasized the two countries’ strong bilateral ties. He praised Qureshi’s visit for reinforcing the regional strategy in the aftermath of the Afghan crisis and expressed hope for the country’s peace and stability.
President Raisi has been invited to visit Pakistan by Foreign Minister Qureshi on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The invitation was accepted by President Raisi.
The conference was part of the foreign minister’s two-day trip to four countries — Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran — to promote a coordinated regional approach to Afghanistan’s changing situation.
According to the foreign office, the Pakistani minister’s four-nation tour is important given the tense situation in the war-torn country and continuing negotiations in Afghanistan to establish an inclusive administration after the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government.
Qureshi was joined by Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tehran, and top officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the statement.
