Pakistan ready to extend cooperation with Iran in all fields, Naqvi tells Iranian counterpart

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Pakistan was ready to extend cooperation with Iran in all fields.

He made the remarks as he met with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit.

A smartly turned-out contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour to the visiting minister upon his arrival, according to a statement issued by the interior ministry.

It said that the two ministers held one-on-one talks, followed by delegation-level discussions. It said that the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations, trade, regional developments and avenues for cooperation.

According to the interior ministry, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, prevention of illegal immigration and efforts against human trafficking.

The two ministers also emphasised the need for joint efforts to curb drug smuggling and terrorism “originating from the Afghan border”, while agreeing to improve coordination between the relevant institutions of both countries.

“Pakistan is ready to increase cooperation with Iran in all fields,” Naqvi was quoted as saying.

He also praised the role of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Momeni, saying they had made “extraordinary efforts for peace”.

“I hope good news will come soon and peace will be established,” he added.

Momeni had arrived in Pakistan on an official visit on Monday night. On Tuesday, he met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security, and effective border management were discussed, according to Inter-Services Public Relations.

He also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where the premier expressed concern over the escalation in the Middle East and reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to play its role as an “honest and sincere mediator and facilitator” to promote regional peace.

Momeni’s visit comes as mediator Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts to rescue the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last month between the US and Iran, intended to end the conflict between the two sides that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February.