By Khawaja Hamza
ISLAMABAD- Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, currently on an official visit to Pakistan, held separate high-level meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to enhanced bilateral cooperation, regional peace, security, and effective border management.
At the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi, the Iranian Interior Minister met Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security, and measures to strengthen effective border management. The Iranian minister appreciated Pakistan’s consistent efforts and indispensable diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation, and serving as an anchor for peace. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and promote mutual prosperity.
Earlier, at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Iranian Interior Minister and his delegation. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and other senior government officials.
Recalling his recent visit to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremony of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Prime Minister conveyed his respectful regards and best wishes to Supreme Leader His Eminence Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.
Expressing deep concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further destabilize the region. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasizing that Pakistan would continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator for dialogue and de-escalation.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Iranian leadership. He stated that he was leading a high-level delegation of senior government officials to further strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.
The Iranian Interior Minister also expressed deep appreciation for the diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, particularly acknowledging their untiring mediation efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. He also thanked the Prime Minister for attending the funeral ceremony of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
The meetings underscored the shared resolve of Pakistan and Iran to deepen strategic cooperation, enhance border security coordination, strengthen diplomatic engagement, and work jointly for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.
