ISLAMABAD: As part of his ongoing visit to Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif met with his counterpart on Wednesday in order to “promote bilateral relations in all areas”, a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad read.
Zarif arrived in Islamabad late on Tuesday evening where he was received by Pakistan Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in what would be his second trip to the country since the formation of the new government. “FM (foreign minister) Qureshi welcomed Zarif at the MOFA (the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs) today. Detailed discussions on all issues of mutual interest including ways to enhance cooperation took place,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, said.
Prime among the topics discussed was the kidnapping of 14 Iranian security personnel — at the Mirjaveh post, in the Sistan-Balochistan province, along the border with Pakistan — earlier this month. Iranian militant group, Jaish Al-Adl, claimed responsibility for the abduction, adding that border guards were among the officials kidnapped by them.
Iran last week had urged the Pakistani ambassador in Tehran to help with the efforts to rescue the abducted personnel, calling on Islamabad to “use all possible means” to free them.
The foreign office, following the incident on October 10, had said at the time that “both militaries, under a joint mechanism established since last year, are working to ascertain the whereabouts of the Iranian guards. DG MOs from both sides are coordinating actions in this regard”.
During the meeting held on Wednesday, the two countries also touched upon regional and global issues including the situation in Afghanistan and ways to work together in the wake of the US imposing sanctions on Iran. “It was agreed to continue close consultations through the established multi-pronged mechanism between the two countries,” the statement read.
In recent times, Pakistan has been more concerned about its northwestern border with Afghanistan and eastern border with India. The Balochistan province which is 44 percent of the country’s landmass has been troubled by rebel groups, militants, and notorious smugglers operating within its porous region. The province shares its demarcation line with Iran and Afghanistan. Security has been beefed up to protect all projects under the flagship of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative, which is being established in the city of Gwadar.
Iran-Pakistan discuss issue of abducted border guards
Iran-Pakistan discuss issue of abducted border guards
- Foreign Ministers of both countries prioritize release of 14 individuals held by militants
- Islamabad assures Tehran it will leave no stone unturned in maintaining peace along border
Imran Khan’s party seeks ‘confidence-building measures’ after government’s talks offer
- PTI says access to jailed founding leader essential for talks to be considered credible
- Government says it’s ready for dialogue but nothing will happen until Khan favors the idea
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party said on Saturday it would only consider the government’s offer for talks credible if it is accompanied by “concrete confidence-building measures,” such as unhindered access to its founding leader in a high-security prison in Rawalpindi.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government was fully prepared to hold a dialogue with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to address political polarization that has deepened since the downfall of the PTI administration in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022.
PTI has frequently complained about a state crackdown against its top leadership, including Khan and his wife, who are serving prison sentences in multiple cases ranging from corruption charges to inciting violence against state institutions and attacks on government properties.
Sharif’s offer for talks came amid media reports that PTI wanted a dialogue with the government, though he noted that negotiations would not be allowed to proceed on the basis of “blackmailing” or unlawful demands and would only cater to legitimate issues.
“Announcements of talks, without concrete confidence-building measures, cannot be treated as credible progress,” Azhar Leghari, PTI’s central deputy information secretary, told Arab News.
He recalled that Khan had authorized Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas to carry forward with the dialogue process, adding that talks “require trust, and trust cannot be built at the cost of constitutional rights or democratic legitimacy.”
“For dialogue to be meaningful, it is essential that these authorized representatives are allowed regular and unhindered access to Imran Khan so that any engagement accurately reflects his views and PTI’s collective position,” he added.
Khan’s family, party and legal team have complained in the past they are stopped by the authorities from meeting the ex-PM in prison. Last month, they also raised concerns about his health, prompting the officials to allow one of his sisters to meet him, who said he was fine.
Shortly thereafter, a scathing message was posted on his social media account, criticizing the army chief. Khan’s post elicited a bitter response from the government and the military amid accusations of inciting people against state institutions.
Leghari’s comments came only a day after Rana Sanaullah, adviser to Prime Minister Sharif on political affairs, said PTI’s “second- or third-tier leadership” wanted dialogue, but nothing was going to happen until Khan favored these negotiations.
He also maintained that while the government was ready for talks, “uncertainty and delays from PTI are preventing progress.”
Meanwhile, a newly formed National Dialogue Committee of former PTI leaders told Arab News it had organized a session on Wednesday, January 7, in the federal capital that will bring together all major political parties, journalists, lawyers and representatives of civil society.
“Our goal is to bring political leaders together so that, while discussing their own issues, they can collectively seek solutions to the nation’s challenges,” Mahmood Baqi Moulvi, a Pakistani politician and member of the committee, said.
“The initiative also builds on previous efforts, including a letter to the prime minister requesting confidence-building measures to enable talks with PTI,” he added.
The National Dialogue Committee had urged the government in the letter to grant parole to jailed party figures in Lahore, including former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, describing the move as vital for building trust ahead of negotiations.
It had also maintained such a step “would not only create an extremely positive, conducive, and trust-filled environment for the negotiations but would also lay a strong foundation for restoring mutual confidence among all stakeholders.”
While the government has also offered dialogue in the past, PTI leaders have conditioned participation on substantive measures, including what they describe as an end to politically motivated prosecutions and arrests, restoration of fundamental rights, respect for judicial independence and a credible roadmap toward free and fair elections.
“Reconciliation is possible, but it must be based on correcting injustices rather than managing optics,” Leghari said. “A genuine reset requires restoring respect for the Constitution, ending political victimization and allowing democratic processes to function without interference.”
Rana Sanaullah and Deputy Law Minister Barrister Aqeel Malik did not respond to requests for comment.
