ISLAMABAD - In significant development, Pakistan and Iran Wednesday agreed on a broad-based dialogue process in Afghanistan to seek durable peace and stability in the region as well as joint struggle in tackling Daesh threat.
“We welcome the Iranian offer for a broad based dialogue process in Afghanistan,” Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told a questioner at a joint press conference with the visiting Secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Shamkhani, shortly after their talks.
Aziz said Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, economy and counter-terrorism, adding in view of the security scenario the two countries have agreed to work together through closer coordination on controlling existing terrorist threats.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in its all forms and manifestations. It is a common enemy and threat, which needs joint and coordinated response. We agreed to cooperate more to tackle this menace and the related problems of smuggling and drug trafficking”, he said. The adviser said Pakistan and Iran already had several institutional mechanisms to enhance cooperation, including Joint Economic Commission, Joint Border Commission and Joint Commission on Road Transport, which will be utilised in future.
“We also agreed to continue exploring new avenues of cooperation while striving to further deepen cooperation in trade and investment fields for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he added. Answering a question Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan wants a political solution of the Syrian crisis.
The Iranian dignitary told a questioner that Tehran also wants political solution to the Syrian problem.
The top Iranian security official said both sides (Pakistan and Iran) have discussed a number of proposals to strengthen cooperation in different fields including defence, border coordination, energy and communication.
Answering a question, he dismissed the possibility of any competition between Pakistan’s Gwadar port and Iranian Chabahar port saying some enemy forces were creating false impression, adding both the countries desire to accelerate economic development for mutual benefit.
On Kashmir, Iranian official said his country supports resolution of the issue through talks in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiris.
He said there are ample opportunities for economic cooperation after Iran’s nuclear deal with world’s major powers and these includes Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, electricity, trade, investment and communication sectors.
The official, who is responsible for the Gulf country’s defence and security policies and enjoys strong ties with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, will meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his adviser on national security on Thursday.
In a related development, Sartaj Aziz said both the United States and Pakistan fully support the Afghan reconciliation process but it is up to Afghan government to decide whether they want the same or not. He told a TV channel that Pakistan and the US were concerned as the resumption of Taliban talks now looked a little bit difficult. To a question, the advisor said Pakistan had some influence on Taliban but it had no control over them. It was up to the Afghan government to resume talks with the Taliban and “our job is just of a facilitator.”