Pakistan and Iran have agreed that a “continued economic engagement” with Afghanistan is crucial to prevent an economic meltdown in the war-torn country and to alleviate the suffering of Afghan people.
The understanding was reached between the two sides during a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and deputy foreign minister of Iran, Dr. Ali Bagheri Kani at the foreign office in Islamabad.
The deputy foreign minister of Iran is in Pakistan to attend the 11th session of Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Political Consultations. This is the first visit by a senior Iranian official since Ebrahim Raisi became the president earlier this year.
During the meeting, Shah Mahmood Qureshi shared Pakistan’s perspective on the prevailing Afghan situation with the visiting Iranian deputy foreign minister, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Tehran, which opposed the Afghan Taliban in the past, is now in contact with the Taliban government and is one of the few countries providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan – a country that has seen decades of unrest and war. While Kani is holding talks with authorities in Islamabad, an Iranian plane carrying essential supplies reached Kabul airport.
Afghanistan needs immediate humanitarian assistance
He further added that Afghanistan needs immediate humanitarian assistance from neighboring countries as well as the international community to avoid the economic collapse of the country. Any humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country could result in refugee influx and regional instability feared the foreign minister.
The two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation. Recalling the brotherly relations between Iran and Pakistan, Qureshi said the latest high-level exchanges have further reinforced existing relations. Qureshi also emphasized the need for close coordination between Tehran and Islamabad for the mutual advantage of the two countries and the region.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran and advance shared objectives in the region.
11th Bilateral Political Consultations session
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood separately co-chaired the 11th session of Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) with Dr. Kani at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
According to an official statement issued on Tuesday, the two sides, during the meeting, discussed bilateral relations in different areas including political, security, economic, trade, energy, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Welcoming Kani on his first visit to Pakistan after assuming the office, the foreign secretary expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory in bilateral relations. Mahmood also congratulated the Iranian side on full membership of SCO.