Iran FM in Pakistan for talks

On the second of his visit to Pakistan, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to the Pakistan Army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi. The top Iranian diplomat met with Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and both stressed the need for greater unity and harmony among the Muslim world.

Zarif’s meeting with the Army chief is seen as significant in view of the current crises in Yemen. Saudi Arabia is pushing the Pakistan military to join its intervention but Iran’s foreign minister is said to have advised Islamabad not to get embroiled in the conflict militarily.

Zarif also met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who expressed concerns over the worsening situation in Yemen and warned that the conflict may endanger the unity in the Muslim world. For his part, the Iranian foreign minister presented a four-point formula to end the bloodshed in Yemen.

Pakistani officials say that all involved parties need to show flexibility in order to pave the way for the negotiated settlement of the issue.

During the two day visit, Iran’s foreign minister also discussed the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. The two countries agreed that the need for strengthening the existing mechanism to avoid border incidents.