ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expressed hope on Wednesday that diplomacy could still prevail despite renewed fighting between Iran and the United States, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praising senior Iranian officials for their “extraordinary” efforts to advance peace while holding talks with his Iranian counterpart on security and border cooperation.
Naqvi’s remarks came as an interim US-Iran peace framework brokered by Islamabad faces mounting pressure following renewed hostilities that have revived concerns over regional stability, global energy supplies and commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan has continued to urge restraint while maintaining that dialogue remains the only path to a lasting settlement.
“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni carried out extraordinary work for peace,” Naqvi said after talks with Momeni, according to a statement released by the interior ministry.
“I hope good news will emerge again soon and peace will prevail,” he added.
Naqvi and Momeni also discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and measures to strengthen cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
Both officials agreed to enhance cooperation to curb illegal immigration and human smuggling while emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach to preventing militancy and narcotics trafficking along the Afghan border.
“Pakistan is ready to enhance cooperation with Iran in all sectors,” Naqvi said.
The latest hostilities in the Gulf region have placed the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Iran and the United States last month, under severe strain.
The document called for an immediate halt to military operations, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and negotiations on a final settlement covering sanctions, Iran’s nuclear program and other disputes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to making continued peace efforts during a meeting with Momeni a day earlier, urging all sides to exercise restraint and reaffirming that Pakistan would continue to play the role of an “honest and sincere mediator and facilitator” for regional peace and stability.
Besides regional developments, the Iranian minister’s visit to Pakistan has also focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in security, border management and trade.
Iran has proposed increasing bilateral trade to $10 billion from about $3 billion through improved border infrastructure, transport links and cargo movement.
