ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Iran on Thursday assured Pakistan that the Islamic Republic will not allow the use of its soil against any country, a guarantee which Islamabad demanded following the arrest of an Indian spy.
Last month, RAW agent Kulbhushan Yadav was arrested by Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies (LEAs) while he was infiltrating into Pakistan from the Saravan border area of Balochistan with Iran. Later, Pakistan also discussed the issue with Iranian leadership and sought help to halt such activities in the future.
“Iran will not allow the use of its soil against any country,” the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost assured the Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rasheed in Islamabad on Thursday.
The two dignitaries discussed Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, regional security issues as well as cooperation in the field of media and information during the meeting.
The Iranian ambassador said that the security of Iran and Pakistan is closely intertwined and we view Pakistan’s security as our own security.
Mehdi Honardoost emphasized the need for frequent high-level visits and exchange of media delegations to learn from each other experiences and best practices.
In his remarks, the information minister said that Pakistan considers Iran a close friend and a neighbor with whom we have traditionally enjoyed cordial and brotherly relations.
The minister termed the recent visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani a great success and that the gains made during the visit would be further consolidated and capitalized for the mutual benefit of the people of the both countries.
Pervaiz Rasheed said that Pakistan would further like to enhance the canvass of bilateral relationship in the areas of trade, economics, parliamentary exchanges, science and technology, border management, culture and people to people contacts.
In addition, he said that terrorism and extremism are common enemies.
“We will have to make joint and concerted efforts to thwart the nefarious designs of terrorists to ensure peace and security in the region,” Rasheed said.
