TEHRAN:In a significant development, Pakistan and Iran have reached an agreement to address the shared challenge of militancy through “intelligence sharing.” The announcement was made on Sunday following a two-day visit by Army Chief General Asim Munir to Iran, during which he held meetings with top Iranian civil and military leaders, including Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri.
Both military commanders acknowledged terrorism as a mutual threat to the region and their respective countries. They expressed their commitment to combatting terrorism in border areas through effective intelligence sharing and coordinated actions against terrorist networks. Additionally, the leaders pledged to explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the realm of security.
The joint effort between Pakistan and Iran reflects their shared determination to confront the menace of militancy and enhance regional security through collaborative measures.
Iran wants to promote economic ties with Pakistan via secure borders: Raeisi
During his maiden visit to Iran, Army Chief General Asim Munir engaged in significant discussions with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahain regarding the importance of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations in promoting regional peace and stability.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran and Pakistan are committed at expanding bilateral ties, and Tehran wants the promotion of trade through a secure border. In a meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of the Army General Asim Munir in Tehran on Sunday, Raeisi stressed border markets and energy cooperation between the two neighbors. “Accelerating the implementation of bilateral accords will promote economic and commercial ties between Iran and Pakistan,” the Iranian president said. Raeisi warned of plots by adversaries to tarnish ties among regional countries. General Munir said ramping up economic, commercial and trade exchanges can culminate in a more secure neighborhood. Tehran and Islamabad have reached agreements on boosting security along with the border, the general said.
Upon his arrival, General Munir was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Iranian Armed Forces at the Military Headquarters.
The visit comes in the aftermath of a peace deal brokered by China between Iran and Saudi Arabia, presenting an opportunity for Pakistan to benefit from the positive ties between the two nations. Despite being a Sunni-majority country, Pakistan has the largest Shia Muslim population after Iran, fostering cultural and religious affinities between them.
With a volatile shared border and both countries facing militant attacks on their security forces, close cooperation between Pakistan and Iran becomes essential to effectively address common security challenges.
