The simmering tensions between Pakistan and Iran seem to be de-escalating as the top officials of the countries exchanged positive messages.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch shared a tête-à-tête between Additional Foreign Secretary Rahim Hayat Qureshi and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Rasoul Mousavi on her X handle, saying: “Some positive exchanges.
Some positive exchanges https://t.co/LLYNnFG5A3
— Mumtaz Baloch (@Mumtazzb) January 18, 2024
The development comes hours after Pakistan launched strikes on terrorists’ hideouts inside Iran on Thursday, in a retaliatory attack two days after Tehran violated the country’s sovereignty by launching a strike in Balochistan that left two children dead and injured three girls.
In an X post today, the FO additional secretary responded to his Iranian counterpart’s letter saying he reciprocated the sentiments of “dear brother Seyed Rasoul Mousavi”.
He said Pakistan and Iran have fraternal relations and the countries to move forward to resolve all issues through positive dialogue.
I reciprocate yr sentiments dear brother @rasmou. 🇵🇰 & 🇮🇷 have fraternal rels & shall move fwd to resolve all issues through positive dialogue. It is imp to restore trust & confidence that has always defined our bil rels. Our common challenges incl terrorism require coord action https://t.co/9Erv2OvhjT
— Rahim Hayat Qureshi (@rahimhayat) January 18, 2024
He said it is important to restore trust and confidence that has always defined bilateral relations between the two countries.
“Our common challenges [including] terrorism require coordinated] action,” he added.
Mousavi said he believed that Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the endpoint of the prevailing tensions between the two countries.
“Leaders and high officials of both countries know that only terrorists and enemies of both countries benefit from the existing tension between the two neighboring countries,” he wrote on X in Persian.
معتقدم بیانیه وزارت امورخارجه کشورمان نقطه پایانی بر امواج تنش ایجاد شده بین 🇮🇷 و 🇵🇰 است. رهبران و مقامات عالی هر دو کشور می دانند که از تنش موجود بین دو کشور همسایه فقط تروریست‌ها و دشمنان هر دو کشور بهره می برند.
امروز مساله اصلی جهان اسلام توقف جنایات صهیونیست‌ها در #غزه است. pic.twitter.com/BUft0XvWB3— Seyed Rasoul Mousavi سید رسول موسوی (@rasmou) January 18, 2024
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar
Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has summoned separate meetings of the federal cabinet and the National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday (today) to discuss the situation arising out of Pak-Iran tension.
The prime minister who was in Davos to attend a meeting of the World Economic Forum, cut short his visit to return to the country.
The cabinet would review the scenario against the backdrop of strikes and air space violations by Iran.
The meeting would also be briefed on the border situation and operational preparedness and briefing of the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs given to the media on Thursday.
The cabinet would also discuss matters about preparations for the February 8 elections.