TEHRAN: Pakistan’s Interior Minister on Monday reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for Iran’s right to self-defence and stressed the need to ensure better safety and facilities of Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq.
The Interior Minister was speaking at a trilateral conference of the Interior Ministers of Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq in Tehran.
Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the initiative to host a Pakistan-Iran-Iraq trilateral conference and thanked the governments of Iran and Iraq for organising it. He emphasised that the well-being and security of Pakistani pilgrims in Iran and Iraq are a top priority for Islamabad.
Minister Naqvi strongly condemned the recent violent attacks by Israeli forces on Iranian soil, which claimed the lives of senior military commanders, prominent scientists, and innocent civilians. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran, stating, “The people of Pakistan have always stood by the Iranian nation in difficult times and will continue to do so.”
The interior minister further highlighted Pakistan’s consistent support for Iran on all international forums, noting that the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, had personally witnessed these efforts.
Naqvi also pledged full cooperation with Iraq, particularly on matters related to religious pilgrimages.
The interior minister stated that only registered groups would be authorised to arrange pilgrimage travel, and group leaders would be held responsible for ensuring the safe return of all pilgrims. He firmly warned that no individual would be permitted to travel to Iran or Iraq through unauthorised or illegal means.
Naqvi thanked both Iran and Iraq for their care and hospitality towards Pakistani pilgrims.
Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, in his remarks, said the Arbaeen pilgrimage is a religious and international event that reflects Islamic unity.
Momeni emphasised the shared goal of making the Arbaeen pilgrimage safe, organised, and respectful, IRNA reported.
He appreciated Iraq for its help in hosting pilgrims and stressed the importance of working together on travel, security, and services.
He praised Iraq and Pakistan for condemning the ‘Israeli aggression’, noting that their unity shows how countries can stand together in tough times.
The conference agreed to take all possible measures to facilitate pilgrims’ travelling to Iran and Iraq.
It was decided that a joint working group comprising representatives from all three countries would be established to streamline and support the pilgrimage process.
Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, and discussed matters of mutual interest, with a focus on regional cooperation and facilitation of pilgrims.
Mohsin Naqvi, during the meeting, also expressed best wishes for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
