Pakistan will continue its efforts for lasting regional peace, Naqvi assures Momeni

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni during a meeting on Wednesday that Islamabad would continue its efforts for lasting peace in the Middle East.

A day earlier, Iranian President Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Eskandar Momeni. During the visit, the Iranian delegation held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior today, the two sides discussed Pakistan-Iran relations and the latest regional situation after the peace agreement.

Naqvi congratulated Momeni on the joint statement signed in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, and said the agreement would not have been possible without the sincere efforts of the Iranian government and Momeni’s personal commitment.

“Pakistan has always sought peace and stability across the world,” Naqvi said, adding that Islamabad would continue its efforts for lasting peace in the Middle East. He expressed hope that the peace agreement would have far-reaching positive implications for the region.

During the meeting, the two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in several areas, including security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity and immigration.

According to a statement, Momeni thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome extended to the Iranian president and his delegation during their visit.

“I will soon undertake a detailed visit to Pakistan, aimed at further promoting cooperation between the interior ministries of the two countries,” the Iranian interior minister said.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry, Secretary Home Affairs, Additional Secretary Home Affairs, Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Commandant National Police Academy and Director General National Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) were also present during the meeting.

Read: Pezeshkian praises ‘uncompromising and honest’ Pakistani leadership for its support since the start of the war on his visit to Islamabad

This was President Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan since taking office. In recent years, the two neighbors have sought to strengthen economic ties, improve border cooperation and increase bilateral trade. The one-day trip was Pezeshkian’s first visit abroad since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February.

The first round of four-party talks involving Iran and the United States, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded in Switzerland, marking the first formal follow-up engagement since the agreement was signed earlier this week.

On June 18, Prime Minister Shehbaz signed the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” as a mediator, formalizing the important diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran. Israel, excluded from the peace talks, has distanced itself from the US-Iran deal and has continued fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, also raising questions about whether the deal will hold.

The United States and Israel launched war against Iran on February 28, assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day. It quickly became a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon; rising energy prices; They renewed inflationary pressures and raised concerns about a major food supply crisis in developing countries.