Qureshi, Zarif discuss matters of bilateral interests

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif called on his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday in federal capital at the Foreign Office.

“Both dignitaries discussed matters related to mutual interests between Pakistan and Iran”, said FO Spokesperson, Dr Faisal in a tweet.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi welcomed the visiting Foreign Minister of Iran, Mr Zarif at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), adding that detailed discussions on all issues of bilateral issues, reads tweet.

Talks between Iran and Pakistan took place on all issues of mutual interest pic.twitter.com/KabsWr6znw

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) October 31, 2018

Mr Javad Zarif arrived in Islamabad to hold bilateral talks with Pakistani leadership earlier today.

He will also likely to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The foreign minister’s visit comes in the wake of the kidnapping of border guards of Iran near its border with Pakistan earlier this month. Just before the visit of Mr Zarif,  both foreign ministers exchanged their views to discuss the matters connecting to the abduction of Iranian guards in a telephonic conversation.

Expressing his serious concern over the incident, Qureshi termed the incident an “evil design” of the enemies unhappy with close and friendly relations between the two countries.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment not to allow anyone succeed in such malicious efforts.

FM Qureshi briefed the Iranian foreign minister about the active efforts launched by Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies to ascertain whereabouts of the missing Iranian guards, in coordination with Iranian military and intelligence counterparts.

At least fourteen Iranian security forces, including members of the Revolutionary Guards, were kidnapped on the southeastern border with Pakistan.

Jaish al-Adl, a terrorist group operating in the region, had claimed responsibility for their kidnapping. Iranian officials believe that the terrorists have transferred abductees to Pakistan.