ISLAMABAD:
A top Iranian general, visiting Pakistan, held talks with Army Chief General Asim Munir and met President Asif Ali Zardari here on Monday to discuss bilateral defense cooperation as well as regional and international issues.
The visit of Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff (CGS) of the Iranian Armed Forces, occurred in the context of a series of international and regional developments.
Some of the recent developments in the Middle East were seen as a setback for Iran. With President Donald Trump at the helm of the White House, there would be greater pressure and more sanctions against Iran.
General Bagheri visited the Headquarters and held talks with General Asim Munir.
“During the meeting, both sides discussed issues related to the prevailing regional security environment and bilateral defense cooperation,” said a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“Upon arrival at the General Headquarters, Major General Mohammad Bagheri laid a wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada in tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan. He was warmly received, including a guard of honor presented by an elegantly formed contingent of the Pakistan Army. Pakistan,” he added.
No further details were provided. But General Bagheri told Iranian media that Iran and Pakistan were expanding military cooperation in various fields.
“Relations between the Iranian and Pakistani armed forces have developed in recent years and we have reached good agreements,” Bagheri told Iranian media after landing in Islamabad.
He pointed to security issues within the long border between Iran and Pakistan, adding that the two countries are working to turn the common border areas into a “border of friendship for the two nations and a place for extensive economic connections.”
“Iran and Pakistan are two important Muslim countries in the sensitive region of West and South Asia and have extensive ties with each other,” the top Iranian general emphasized.
He said Tehran and Islamabad have a common stance on many issues that occurred in the region over the past year.
Talks with Pakistani officials will focus on regional developments so that the two neighboring states can take a coordinated position in different international circles, Bagheri said.
Meanwhile, General Bagheri called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and exchanged views on issues of bilateral importance.
During the meeting, both sides highlighted the long-standing and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran and emphasized the need to promote trade and economic relations for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.
It was also highlighted that terrorism was a shared challenge and that both countries needed to take effective and coordinated measures to address this challenge, according to an official pamphlet issued by the Office of the President.
The Iranian armed forces chief appreciated Pakistan’s stance on Gaza and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, received Hashem Ashjazade, Iran’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Director General for South Asia on Monday.
Both sides discussed the rapidly changing international geopolitical situation and regional challenges facing the two countries. Both sides agreed to jointly address these challenges.
Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad, and Pakistan’s ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, also attended the meeting.
