KEY POINTS
- FM Araghchi reaffirms Iran’s commitment to playing its part in bringing peace and stability to South Asia
- PM Shehbaz categorically rejects any attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday discussed the prevailing tensions in South Asia and India’s provocative behaviour since the Pahalgam incident.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, who is on an official visit to Islamabad, called on Pakistan’s Prime Minister, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House on Monday.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz shared Pakistan’s serious concerns over the prevailing tensions in South Asia, as a result of India’s provocative behaviour since the Pahalgam incident.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi conveyed warm greetings from the Iranian leadership to the Prime Minister and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to strengthening its relations with Pakistan and also playing its part in bringing peace and stability in South Asia.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to work closely with Iran for peace, stability, and development in the region.
The Prime Minister categorically rejected any attempts to link Pakistan to the incident, without sharing any evidence.
He said Pakistan had offered that an international transparent, neutral and credible investigation be conducted to ascertain the facts behind the Pahalgam incident.
PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan had acted with maturity and responsibility, however, India had, on the other hand, created a media frenzy to divert the world’s attention away from the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remained the root cause of instability in South Asia.
He also stressed that India’s weaponisation of the Indus Waters Treaty was unacceptable and a redline for the people of Pakistan.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his sincere condolences to the Iranian side over the tragic explosion in Bandar Abbas that had led to the loss of precious lives and injured hundreds of people.
He prayed for those who had lost their loved ones, as well as for the early recovery of the injured.
During this warm and cordial meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed his respectful regards to Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei and warm wishes for President Masoud Pezeshkian.
He underscored that Pakistan attached great importance to its historic, deep-rooted fraternal ties with Iran.
While fondly recalling his earlier meetings and recent telephone call with President Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Iran bilateral engagement and emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in trade, energy, border management, and regional connectivity.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi reiterated President Pezeshkian’s invitation to the Prime Minister, to undertake an official visit to Tehran during this year.
Ahead of the meeting, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said Araqchi, in his meetings with senior Pakistani officials, would discuss “ways of reducing tension in the subcontinent” due to Iran’s close ties with both India and Pakistan, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.
Talks at foreign office
Earlier Seyed Abbas Araghchi, met with Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, today in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Araghchi conveyed warm greetings from the Iranian leadership and reiterated Tehran’s keen interest in further deepening its bilateral ties with Pakistan.
Ishaq Dar welcomed the Iranian delegation and highlighted the historical, cultural, and religious bonds that unite the two neighbouring nations. He lauded the positive momentum in Pakistan-Iran ties and stressed the need to expand cooperation in key areas including trade, energy, border security, and regional connectivity.
Both sides exchanged views on major regional and international developments.
Ishaq Dar shared Pakistan’s serious concerns over the prevailing tensions in South Asia as a result of India’s provocative behaviour since the Pahalgam incident. He strongly rejected unsubstantiated attempts to link Pakistan with the incident, reiterating Islamabad’s call for an international, transparent, and impartial investigation to establish the facts.
He further remarked that the allegations seemed intended to divert international attention from the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
Highlighting Pakistan’s unwavering stance against terrorism, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the country’s leading role in the global fight against terror and the substantial sacrifices it has made in this endeavour.
ALSO READ: Russia Calls for De-Escalation in Pakistan-India Tensions
Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed appreciation for the Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit at this crucial time.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Monday on an official visit to hold talks with Pakistani leadership to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.
Pahalgam crisis
The tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after gunmen attacked tourists in the Pahalgam area of occupied Kashmir on 22 April, killing 26 people and injuring 17.
India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the attack without presenting any credible evidence. Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly rejected the Indian government’s baseless accusations.
A day after the Pahalgam incident on 23 April, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approved measures including the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an independent investigation into the incident.
Islamabad also warned that any attempt by India to stop or divert the Indus River waters would be considered an “act of war”.
