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
Blast kills six policemen in northwest Pakistan amid Afghanistan operation
- The explosion targeted a police vehicle in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
- It comes after Pakistan’s overnight ‘precision strikes’ against militant hideouts in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: At least six policemen were killed in an explosion in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the interior ministry said on Friday, amid Pakistan’s continuing strikes against alleged militant hideouts in Afghanistan.
The explosion took place in the Lakki Marwat district near a police vehicle following an attempted drone strike by Afghan Taliban forces in Kohat, according to Pakistani officials.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militant attacks in KP, which borders Afghanistan, by the Pakistani Taliban, who have mounted assaults since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
“The brave soldiers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police sacrificed their lives today for the nation’s peaceful tomorrow,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, lauding police personnel in the restive region.
In a statement issued from his office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in Lakki Marwat and extended his prayers and best wishes for the deceased and injured personnel.
“We will never let sacrifices of police personnel and security forces go in vain,” he said. We are determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.”
The bomb attack came a day after two suspected militants were killed and four others were arrested during a joint operation conducted by police, counter-terrorism department and pro-government militias in the same district, police said.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of failing to rein in militant groups that it says use Afghan soil to plan and launch attacks in Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.
Last month, Pakistan conducted air strikes against what it said were Pakistani Taliban and Daesh targets in Afghanistan, provoking the Afghan side to retaliate across their shared border. The two neighbors have since been locked in a conflict.
