ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Pakistan early Monday at the invitation of Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani. The Iranian foreign minister was received by the Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, at the Nur Khan Airbase.
The visit aims to foster in-depth discussions between Foreign Minister Abdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart, Jalil Abbas Jilani. Additionally, the Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar during his stay in Pakistan.
This high-level diplomatic engagement follows a joint press statement issued by both countries on January 22, announcing the return of envoys to their respective positions and the upcoming visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Islamabad.
The diplomatic relations between Iran and Pakistan faced strain earlier in the month when Iran violated Pakistan’s airspace, prompting a military response from Pakistan targeting the hideouts of Pakistan-origin terrorists inside Iran. This visit serves as an opportunity for both countries to address and navigate through recent challenges and reinforce their commitment to maintaining strong bilateral ties.
Notably, Iran also expressed condolences to Pakistan over the killing of nine Pakistani laborers on Iranian soil. The Iranian envoy to Pakistan condemned the killings, emphasizing the resilience of the brotherly relations between the two nations and a joint commitment to preventing any damage to their ties.
