ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday left for Islamabad oncompletion of his day-long visit to Tehran as part of his initiative topromote peace and security in the Gulf region.
It is Khan’s second visit to Tehran this year amid an escalation inregional tensions.
The prime minister was seen off by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif atthe airport, a PM Office statement said.
During his visit, he met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and SupremeLeader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, besides addressing a joint pressstakeout with the Iranian president.
“Pakistan does not want conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia…I am happyto facilitate talks between Tehran and Riyadh…I am very hopeful as I hadconstructive talks with the (Iranian) president,” he said at a joint newsconference with Hassan Rouhani.
“Any effort based on goodwill is welcomed … during the meeting, we agreedthat the regional issues can be resolved through diplomacy and throughdialogue between countries,” Rouhani responded.
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During his meetings with the Iranian leadership in Tehran, the primeminister conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to extend full facilitation ofefforts for de-escalation of tensions and resolution of differences anddisputes through political and diplomatic means, said a PM Office statementrounding up the prime minister’s engagements in the Iranian capital.
During his meeting with President Hassan Rouhani, the prime ministerhighlighted the historic ties and the tradition of close cooperationbetween the two countries. He reiterated his commitment to furtherstrengthen bilateral relations in diverse areas, with a particular focus onenhanced trade and economic cooperation. Close cooperative ties with Iranhave always been a priority for Pakistan, the prime minister remarked.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 74th session of UN General Assembly in NewYork, Khan announced that US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman had both asked him to mediate with Iran. But, inTehran, Khan told Rouhani that it was purely a Pakistani initiative tooffer its facilitation for Iran and Saudi Arabia to settle their issues forthe security and stability of the region.
Khan also expressed gratitude over Iran’s support on the Kashmir issue asthe lockdown of over eight million people in the Indian Occupied Jammu andKashmir continued for last 68 days.
