ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a one-day visit aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries, following recent tensions.
Amir-Abdollahian was welcomed at the airport by Pakistani Foreign Office officials. During his visit, he will hold meetings with the current Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, as well as Pakistani security officials, to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions and improve bilateral relations.
According to Foreign Office sources, the visit will also address the sensitive issue of the killing of nine Pakistani citizens in Iran. The bodies of the nine citizens are expected to be repatriated to Pakistan within the next two days.
Background:
On January 16, Iran violated Pakistani airspace and launched a missile strike that killed two children and injured three others. In response, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Iran and announced it would target terrorist hideouts inside Iranian territory.
The situation between the two neighboring countries improved after the two-way attacks, when the Pakistani Foreign Office announced in a statement on January 22 that the two countries’ foreign ministers had agreed in a telephone conversation that the ambassadors of Islamabad and Tehran would resume their duties on January 26.
According to reports, Pakistani Ambassador Mudassar Tipu saw him off at the Iranian airport. On this occasion, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that the good wishes of Pakistan’s leadership reaffirm our common commitment to deepen our historical and fraternal ties.
It should be noted that the Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Pakistan is taking place at a time when, on January 27, unknown armed men shot dead nine Pakistani laborers from Punjab province in Sarawan city of Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran.
Pakistan had called for an immediate investigation into the killing of Pakistanis in Sarawan as a terrorist and despicable incident, and Iran had strongly condemned the killing of the workers and assured that it was an attempt to spoil the relations between the two countries by those who dismiss anti-peace elements.
In addition to this, the Pakistan Army responded to the Iranian attack by targeting a hideout of terrorists in Iran. Afterward, both countries announced the restoration of diplomatic activities to reduce tension.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
