Islamabad – Iranian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafisays Iran believes that peace in Afghanistan is prerequisite for peace inthe region.
Shahsafi led an delegation accompanied by Iranian Ambassador to PakistanMehdi Honardoost and called on Pakistan’s National Security Adviser retiredLt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua.
While discussing the prospects of peace and stability in Afghanistan, theIranian commander said that Iran believes that peace in Afghanistan isprerequisite for peace in the region.
Pakistan’s national security adviser during the meeting said that forPakistan, Iran is an important country. ‘Iran is not only a neighbour butalso a brotherly country from historic, cultural and religiousperspectives.’
“We believe that Pakistan and Iran shared a common future and need toenhance their cooperation”, he added.
Janjua elaborated on the challenges faced by both countries at regional andinternational levels. He said that the solution lay in a cooperativeframework.
The Iranian commander stressed the importance of identifying and removingall the impediments affecting bilateral relations. He also stressed theneed for unity in the Muslim world which was lacking currently.
Lt Gen Janjua acknowledged the concerns of the commander and highlightedthe role of Pakistan in the region and in the Muslim world.
“Pakistan and Iran require deliberation and strategic patience to overcomethe prevailing difficulties and to strengthen their bilateral relations andto move ahead together towards a brighter future,” he said.
Both countries agreed to increase engagements at all levels in multipleareas including politics, defence trade and economics.