Pakistan to continue 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 alongside 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 Defence 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 following the peace agreement.

Naqvi congratulated Momeni on the joint communiqué signed in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, saying 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 reception accorded to the Iranian president and his delegation during their visit.

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

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the interior secretary, additional interior secretary, director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), commandant of the National Police Academy and director general of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) were also present during the meeting.

Read: Pezeshkian praises ‘adamant and honest’ Pakistani leadership for support since war’s start in Islamabad visit

This was President Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan since assuming office. The two neighbours have in recent years sought to strengthen economic ties, enhance border cooperation and increase bilateral trade. The one-day trip was Pezeshkian’s first overseas visit since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in late February.

The first round of four-party talks involving Iran and the US, with mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded in Switzerland, marking the first formal follow-up engagement since the signing of the agreement earlier this week.

On June 18, PM Shehbaz signed the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ as a mediator, formalising the major diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran. Israel, left out of the peace talks, has distanced itself from the US-Iran accord and kept up fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon, also raising questions about whether ​the agreement would hold.

The US and Israel launched the war on Iran ⁠on February 28, assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day. It quickly spiralled into a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon; driven up energy prices; renewed inflationary pressures and sparked concerns about a ​major food supply crisis in developing countries.