Follow-up – Al-Rashid
Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Gilani stressed that “the good relationship between Pakistan and Iran is necessary for the stability of the region,” noting that “we agreed to confront the threat of terrorism together.”
In a statement after his meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, he stressed that “Pakistan and Iran are determined to expand the scope of political and security cooperation.”
In turn, Abdullahian said: “We respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and will not give any opportunity to terrorists to threaten our common security.”
Abdullahian arrived yesterday evening, Sunday, in Islamabad, according to scenes broadcast by the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicating that he would meet his Pakistani counterpart and Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated after Iran launched, on January 16, an attack with missiles and drones on targets it described as “terrorist” in Pakistan. Pakistan responded two days later by striking “terrorist” targets inside Iranian territory.
The two attacks, which took place in Balochistan province, which is shared between the two countries and is witnessing unrest, led to the deaths of 11 people, most of them women and children, according to the authorities.
This caused diplomatic tension, and Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Tehran and announced that the Iranian ambassador, who was visiting his country, would not be allowed to return to Islamabad.
However, on January 22, the two countries announced the return of their diplomatic relations to normal, with the Iranian Foreign Minister visiting Islamabad.
On Saturday, gunmen killed nine Pakistanis in an attack on a house in the Sistan-Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran.
Iran and Pakistan regularly exchange accusations of allowing rebel groups to operate from each other’s territory to launch attacks on the other country.
