Iran's foreign minister arrives in Pakistan to meet PM Imran Khan, others

[hussain.r97]

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Islamabad on Thursday to hold meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other high level officials.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received Zarif at the airport, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal.

The Iran's foreign minister, in addition to calling on his Pakistani counterpart and the PM of Pakistan, will also meet Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser as well as Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit.

"Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Iran, which is a brotherly Muslim country and an important neighbour," the FO spokesperson said.

The Iranian minister's visit comes days before the scheduled September 5 arrival of United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1429908

 

[Syed1]

This lobbying by Iran and Saudi is getting annoying... every week we have phone call or minister/ambassador from either country showing up.


We should follow an independent foreign policy and not bow down to any pressure.

 

[DrSchultz]

Is it common for foreign ministers to visit army chiefs in other countries?

 

[saeedhk]

A great development. We need to better our relations with Iran and get the vital IP pipeline back on track.

 

[PakLFC]

It is understandable that the new PM would want to improve relations with Iran. Pak has t have good relations with neighbours Afghanistan, China and Iran.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

FM should only be meeting the FM of Pakistan, no need for him to meet PM IK

 

[hussain.r97]

Iranian foreign minister, Qureshi discuss regional peace, stability

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday, the Foreign Office said.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation and strengthen relations between the two countries, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted.

The two dignitaries discussed regional peace and stability. Zarif also conveyed best wishes from the Iranian leadership to the new Pakistani government under Prime Minister Imran Khan.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FM held talks with Iranian FM to enhance cooperation and strengthen relations with Iran and other neighbors to achieve regional peace and stability. Mr. Zarif conveyed best wishes of the Iranian leadership for success of new government under PM Imran Khan. <a href="https://t.co/SyjOV2DyVl">pic.twitter.com/SyjOV2DyVl</a></p>— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1035418605456949248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Foreign Minister Zarif arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a two-day visit, the first foreign dignitary to visit the country since the new government took over. He was received by high-level Pakistani officials upon his arrival.

Earlier today, Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane called on his Pakistani counterpart Qureshi. During the meeting, the two dignitaries discussed areas of cooperation including trade, investment, human resource development, and science and technology.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/209297-ir...iscuss-regional-peace-stability?5b88ec52da6dc

 

[Mamoon]

Is it common for foreign ministers to visit army chiefs in other countries?

It is common in countries where the military chief is the real head of state, and the PM/President hold ceremonial positions. Pakistan is one such country.

 

[sjahmed23]

Pakistan should leverage Iranian relationship and learn from the Iranian education system and how they conduct scientific and mathematical research. I believe Iran has very solid research instituitions, probably amongst the best in Asia, definitely best in the Middle East. And that is what Pakistan needs to emulate, we need more innovators and researchers if we are going to be self reliant.

 

[DrSchultz]

Pakistan should leverage Iranian relationship and learn from the Iranian education system and how they conduct scientific and mathematical research. I believe Iran has very solid research instituitions, probably amongst the best in Asia, definitely best in the Middle East. And that is what Pakistan needs to emulate, we need more innovators and researchers if we are going to be self reliant.

Sharif University has a very good reputation. Most of the persian origin academia in North America come from sharif.

 

[Savak]

Why on earth is a Foreign Minister allowed to meet a PM just like that?

Is a FM allowed to meet the US President or UK PM just like that? Should FM just be allowed to meet their counter part FM instead?

We need to show some more spine and dignity and follow self respecting protocol more often

Enough of the US Secretary of State or the UK Foreign Minister being allowed to meet the PM especially when our FM is not allowed to meet the US President or UK PM

 

[Maverick84]

Why on earth is a Foreign Minister allowed to meet a PM just like that?

Is a FM allowed to meet the US President or UK PM just like that? Should FM just be allowed to meet their counter part FM instead?

We need to show some more spine and dignity and follow self respecting protocol more often

Enough of the US Secretary of State or the UK Foreign Minister being allowed to meet the PM especially when our FM is not allowed to meet the US President or UK PM

Let’s show spine where needed, not on these useless things.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Foreign minister meets ...

Foreign minister
Army chief at GHQ on his own I presume
Speaker
PM

Someone explain why he is meeting all these people in one trip?

IK needs to assert authority early on. No foreign minister or foreign dignitaries needs to see army chief unless it's a military related issue. And even then, chief can travel to PM office and see them there....

Put the marker in sand early.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Let’s show spine where needed, not on these useless things.

Job of running country, foreign and domestic is by the elected government.

This is not a trivial issue.

 

[Maverick84]

Job of running country, foreign and domestic is by the elected government.

This is not a trivial issue.

To me a neighboring country FM meeting our PM isn’t an issue at all.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

To me a neighboring country FM meeting our PM isn’t an issue at all.

My particular sticking point is about him meeting Bajwa.

It's explicit usurping of power from elected executive. The power must be with IK and there should be no doubt about that. The army must toe the line.

If there is security related discussion that needs to be had then Bajwa can travel to PM office and have it there infront of IK.

Bajwa can meet military officials in his capacity.

 

[Maverick84]

My particular sticking point is about him meeting Bajwa.

It's explicit usurping of power from elected executive. The power must be with IK and there should be no doubt about that. The army must toe the line.

If there is security related discussion that needs to be had then Bajwa can travel to PM office and have it there infront of IK.

Bajwa can meet military officials in his capacity.

I agree with you but that’s how it’s been. I don’t believe at this stage it’s necessary to stamp authority. Best thing is to perform on real issues. With time and continuation of democracy these things will fall in place. Nawaz Sharif always did that where he tried to push military out without performing.

 

[Gollum]

PM can meet the FM of a foreign country, it's not a big deal. Most often foreign dignitaries meeting PMs is a courtesy call sometimes they are carrying personal messages from their own leaders. I'm sure the real meetings with substance happened with SMQ (and his foreign office).

 

[Greenstorm]

Why on earth is a Foreign Minister allowed to meet a PM just like that?

Is a FM allowed to meet the US President or UK PM just like that? Should FM just be allowed to meet their counter part FM instead?

We need to show some more spine and dignity and follow self respecting protocol more often

Enough of the US Secretary of State or the UK Foreign Minister being allowed to meet the PM especially when our FM is not allowed to meet the US President or UK PM

Khawaja Asif met Iranian president on his visit there so not a big deal.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

I agree with you but that’s how it’s been. I don’t believe at this stage it’s necessary to stamp authority. Best thing is to perform on real issues. With time and continuation of democracy these things will fall in place. Nawaz Sharif always did that where he tried to push military out without performing.

Nawaz is corrupt and incompetent and he was trying to destroy the only institution that works to centralise all the power. The US is going through this phase with Trump.

IK is neither of those and importantly he has the people around him who know what they are doing. Army can go back to doing their basic role now.