TEHRAN – Iran’s top military commander has emphasised the importance ofenhancing defense relations with Pakistan, saying the two neighbors areseeking to jointly manufacture defence equipment.
Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of theIranian Armed Forces, made the remarks following a meeting with PakistaniPresident Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad on Tuesday.
During the talks, the two sides touched on the commonalities between Iranand Pakistan as well as the almost 1,000-kilometer border between theneighbours, stressing that Tehran-Islamabad ties should be enhanced indifferent areas.
During his visit, the Iranian general discussed with Pakistani officialstopics such as military education, pilot training, military drills andcontacts between the two countries’ defense industries.
Iran and Pakistan, he said, are working to jointly build defence productsand present them as a joint achievement of Muslim nations.
Additionally on Tuesday, Baqeri sat down with Chief of Pakistani NavalStaff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. The two officials discussed ways tobolster maritime cooperation between Iran and Pakistan and increase jointnaval maneuvers.
Baqeri arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a three-day official visit to thecountry. He has already held talks with his Pakistani counterpart, GeneralQamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee GeneralZubair Mahmood Hayat and Foreign Minister Abdullah Hussain Haroon.
On Monday, the Iranian top commander blasted the United States for seekinginsecurity in the Middle East and is against the restoration of peace tothis region.
“America tops the list of countries that seek to create insecurity in theregion and is against the restoration of security to the region,” Baqerisaid.
*Pakistan ready to expand ties with Iranian police*
Also on Tuesday, Head of Pakistan Federal Research Organization GeneralBashir Ahmad Ma’moun visited Police Identification Department in Tehran andexpressed the country’s desire to expand cooperation with the Iranianpolice.
He expressed pleasure over the growing trend of relations between the twopolice forces, according to state-run IRNA. “Iran and Pakistan, as twoMuslim neighbours, have similar problems,” he added.
General Ma’moun also pointed to Iranian police prowess in establishingsecurity in border areas and said that intelligence and operationalcooperation as well as promoting interaction among officers is so important.