ISLAMABAD: Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National SecurityCouncil, arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a two-day official visit,underscoring the strengthening strategic partnership between Iran andPakistan. The high-level engagement, hosted by Pakistani counterparts, isexpected to focus on counter-terrorism measures, border security, andregional stability in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.Larijani’s itinerary includes meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifand Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, highlighting the visit’s diplomaticsignificance.
Larijani, a seasoned statesman with extensive experience in Iranianpolitics, previously served as Speaker of the Majlis and advisor to SupremeLeader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His role in the Supreme National SecurityCouncil positions him as a key architect of Iran’s foreign and securitypolicies. This visit comes at a critical juncture, following recentescalations in regional conflicts and shared concerns over cross-bordermilitancy. Pakistani officials have emphasized the need for enhancedintelligence-sharing to address mutual threats emanating from Afghanistanand beyond.
During the discussions, both sides are anticipated to explore avenues foreconomic collaboration, including energy trade and infrastructure projectsunder the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework. Iran, facinginternational sanctions, views Pakistan as a vital gateway for regionalconnectivity. The visit also aligns with ongoing efforts to revive theIran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, stalled for years due to externalpressures. Experts suggest these talks could yield concrete agreements toexpedite stalled initiatives.
The arrival of Larijani has been met with cautious optimism in diplomaticcircles, with hopes that it will foster greater trust and coordination.Pakistan, grappling with internal security dynamics, welcomes Iran’sproactive stance on joint operations against extremist groups. As the twonations navigate complex alliances, this engagement reaffirms theircommitment to sovereignty and non-interference principles. Outcomes fromthe visit are likely to influence broader Middle East-South Asia dynamics.
Read Top Stories
In a statement prior to departure, Larijani expressed confidence in theenduring fraternal bonds between Tehran and Islamabad, pledging to advanceshared interests. The visit concludes on Wednesday, with a joint pressbriefing expected to outline key deliverables.
Source: www.dawn.com/news/1774567/ali-larijanis-visit-to-pakistan”>https://www.dawn.com/news/1774567/ali-larijanis-visit-to-pakistan
