ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday agreed to continue joint efforts for peaceful resolution of Yemen crisis through political and diplomatic ways.
The understanding came in a meeting between the Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javed Zarif and the Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The meeting took place shortly after the Iranian foreign minister arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit for talks with Pakistani leaders on bilateral matters and Yemen issue.
Later, in a joint press stakeout the two leaders said that they have agreed that all stakeholders have to show greater flexibility for ending bloodshed and preparing grounds for serious and negotiations to resolve the crisis.
The advisor said that they also agreed on the need for serious efforts to promote greater unity in the Muslim Ummah.
Sartaj Aziz said that the framework agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and P5 plus one over Iran’s nuclear programme is a welcome development and a comprehensive agreement later would assist in expanding economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Iran.
The premier’s advisor said that they also concurred on the importance of discouraging terrorism and intensified cooperation for the purpose. He said that maintenance of tranquility on border is a strategic interest for both the countries and they agreed to strengthen institutional mechanism for border management and curb cross-border activities.
In reply to a question whether the government would honour outcome of the parliamentary debate on the Yemen issue, Sartaj Aziz said that the broad consensus in the Parliament is that Pakistan’s involvement in internal civil war situation will not be advisable.
“Pakistan should not participate in any offensive action. We should try to mediate, influence and facilitate some kind of peaceful dialogue,” Sartaj Aziz said.
Sartaj Aziz said that at the same time, members of the Parliament are expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its concern about instability in the neighborhood.
The advisor said that as stated by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the government would fully respect in letter and spirit outcome and recommendations of the Parliament on Yemeni situation.
On the occasion, the Iranian foreign minister said that there are a lot of opportunities for Pakistan and Iran to expand their relations in different spheres. He said that trade volume is not as it should be and there is need to increase it significantly.
The Iranian foreign minister said that the two countries are also facing common challenges like terrorism and violence.
Javed Zarif said that there is need to find a comprehensive political solution of the crisis in Yemen.
To a question, he said that Iran wants ceasefire, humanitarian
assistance, intra-Yemeni dialogue and a broad-based government. He said that Iran is willing to help realize this objective if asked. He said that Pakistan and Iran will work together for greater unity in the Islamic world.
The Iranian foreign minister said that we will also work together to avoid the kind of incident in which eight Iranian guards were killed day before yesterday in the Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province. He said that they discussed various ways and means to realize this objective.
