Pakistan, Iran assure not to let their soils use against each other

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday assured not to let their soils use against each other.

Addressing a joint press conference, Director General Inter Services Public Relations Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor and Gen Staff Officer Iranian Army said this.

Iranian military spokesperson assured that Iranian soil shall not be used against Pakistan.

He acknowledged successful visit and was supportive of suggestions made by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The Iranian spokesperson thanked the Pakistani delegation for visit to Iran.

Read More: Iran acknowledges gains of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism

Asif Ghafoor also thanked Iranian military and government for hospitality extended by Iran during the visit on behalf of the COAS.

He said the Army chief brought message of friendship and cooperation. Qamar Bajwa termed Pak-Iran border as border of peace and friendship.

Asif Ghafoor briefed Iranian media about Pakistan’s efforts, achievements and sacrifices in war against terror and towards regional peace.

“Pakistan wishes peace in Afghanistan and supports all initiatives towards this end. We have done everything on Pakistan side of the border. There are no terrorist sanctuaries inside Pakistan,” he said.

He said ISIS was growing in Afghanistan as threat to region. A regional approach was required to defeat the threat, he said.

The Pakistan military spokesman said Pakistan had taken effective measures on Pak-Afghan border. Terrorists were likely to exploit friendly Pak-Iran border. Enhanced Pak-Iran border Security was in mutual interest, he added.

Read More: COAS discusses defence, economic cooperation with Iranian civil, military leadership

The DG ISPR reiterated that Pakistan’s soil would not be used against any country including Iran.

He thanked Iranian supreme leader for his supportive statement on Kashmir.

“Kashmir is long pending dispute between India and Pakistan. Regional peace and security remains at stake unless it’s resolved to the aspiration of Kashmiris in line with the UN resolution,” he said.

Asif Ghafoor said Pakistan and Iranian Army leadership had agreed to continue bilateral engagements for enhanced security cooperation.

“State of Pakistan has stated that our relations with Iran are not at the cost of our relations with any other country and vice a versa. We greatly value our relations with Iran which have a positive history bonded by history, culture and religion,” he said.

He said Pakistan armed forces were capable to thwart any threat with support of Pakistani nation. “In Pakistan we say that prerogative of declaring Jehad rests only with state and armed forces were state instrument for its application against anti state elements.”

At the end of Conference, Gen Asif Ghafoor said: “The Pakistani delegation leaves Iran with positive feelings and strengthening relations.”