ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood co-chaired the 11th Session of Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Dr. Ali Bagheri Kani at the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Tuesday.
During the session, the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations in all areas including political, economic, trade, connectivity, security, energy, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides also had a comprehensive exchange of views on the regional situation.
FS Sohail Mahmood co-chairs 11th BPC with DFM @Bagheri_Kani. FS reviewed entire spectrum of bil. rel; thanked for Iran’s principled support for Kashmir cause; reaffirmed importance of close coordination on Afghanistan; resolved to sustain current momentum of high-level exchanges. pic.twitter.com/k4eAv1NdCD
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) October 5, 2021
The foreign secretary congratulated the Iranian side on full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Welcoming the Iranian deputy foreign minister on his first visit to Pakistan after the assumption of office, the foreign secretary expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory in bilateral relations.
The foreign secretary said that the recent high-level interactions have further enhanced common understanding on matters of mutual interest.
Sohail Mahmood underlined the importance of closer coordination to enhance trade and economic relations in order to achieve its true potential.
It was emphasized that regular convening of various institutional mechanisms including Joint Economic Commission and Joint Trade Committee, would be instrumental in overcoming existing challenges.
The two sides underlined complementarities in the regional projects and agreed that these would transform the region into a pivotal hub for trade, transportation links, and connectivity.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at mutual cooperation at multilateral fora, including at the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and reaffirmed the resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of common interests.
Views were exchanged on the regional situation, with particular focus on Jammu & Kashmir and Afghanistan.
The foreign secretary highlighted the situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), marked by grave human rights violations and Indian attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory. He thanked Iran for its consistent support for the Kashmir cause, especially by the Supreme Leader.
On Afghanistan, the foreign secretary briefed his Iranian counterpart on Pakistan’s contribution to efforts for peace and stability. He highlighted that after 40 years of war in Afghanistan, there was an opportunity to end the conflict and establish sustainable peace in the country.
The current situation demanded positive engagement of the international community, urgent provision of humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people, and measures to help build a sustainable economy.
It was agreed that the two Countries would coordinate closely at the bilateral and regional level to reinforce efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The two sides agreed to maintain the current momentum of high-level bilateral exchanges and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse fields.
