ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday and discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, according to a statement issued from the PM’s office. This is Araghchi’s first visit to Pakistan since he was appointed as his country’s top diplomat.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz warmly welcomed Araghchi and conveyed his best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Massoud Pezeshkian.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its historic and brotherly ties with Iran, underscoring the importance of regular high-level exchanges and deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s strong support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing them as a “genocidal campaign” against the Palestinian population.
The Prime Minister called for an immediate ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the recognition of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination in line with United Nations resolutions and the stance of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Israeli attack on Iran on October 26, 2024, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Foreign Minister Araghchi expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s principled stance on regional issues and briefed Prime Minister Sharif on Iran’s perspective on the current situation in the Middle East.
Earlier, speaking at the news conference along with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Israeli acts are in violation of global law and the UN Charter and contribute to the root cause of all tensions in the region.
The Deputy PM also reiterated Islamabad’s call for establishing a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine on the ground of pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital city.
Ishaq Dar stated that they reject the propensity of occupying powers to equate the right to self-determination with terrorism, which, he added, is nothing, but a ploy to prolong their occupation and apartheid policies.
Ishaq Dar said that the longstanding Palestinian and Jammu and Kashmir issues must be resolved through peaceful means by fully respecting the rights and aspirations of the affected people in line with the relevant UN resolutions and the Charter.
Pakistan and Iran Agree to Enhance Cooperation
Ishaq Dar stated that during the talks with the Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs, they discussed means to enhance cooperation across several key areas including energy, trade, and border security. He stated that the two sides have also agreed to intensify collaboration and cooperation on border management and address common challenges.
The Foreign Minister said they have underscored that terrorism and extremism pose a serious threat to regional peace and pledged to coordinate joint efforts to eradicate these challenges.
In his statements on the occasion, the Iranian top diplomat lauded Pakistan’s strong and clear position in denouncing the Israeli aggression against Tehran.
The Iranian FM said that his nation does not seek escalation. However, he added that they reserve their right to legitimize defence under the United Nations Charter.
The Iranian FM also reiterated the commitment to further strengthen the brotherly ties with Pakistan in all areas including trade, economy, politics and culture.
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Monday night on a two-day official trip to hold talks with Pakistan’s leadership on the current situation in the Middle East and bilateral ties.
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At the airport, the Minister was welcomed by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) Ambassador Ahmed Naseem Warraich, a Foreign Office press release said.
During his trip, the Araghchi will hold talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
This trip provides a significant opportunity to advance cooperation and talks between Islamabad and Tehran on a wide range of areas including security, trade and energy.
Earlier, the Foreign Office of Pakistan spokesperson said in a statement, “Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrives in Pakistan today on a two-day official visit,”.
It added that during his visit, he will hold meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Foreign Minister Araghchi will hold consultations on the situation in the Middle East and Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, the statement added.
