Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni lands in Pakistan

• Momeni praises Pakistan-Iran ties and Pakistani hospitality.
• Naqvi hopes visit brings progress on regional situation.
• Momeni scheduled to meet PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir.
  

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday on an official visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation for talks with Pakistani leadership.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi received his Iranian counterpart at the airport.

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam was also present, while Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry presented a bouquet to the visiting dignitary.

"Welcome to Pakistan," Naqvi said while receiving Momeni.

The Iranian delegation includes the governor-general of Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran's deputy interior minister, the deputy minister for urban development and transport, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the special representative of Iran's agriculture minister and other senior officials.

Speaking to the media upon his arrival in Pakistan, Momeni said the primary objective of his visit to Pakistan was to further strengthen relations between the two neighbouring countries and advance cooperation in key areas.

He said that both sides had previously agreed to increase bilateral trade to an initial target of $10 billion.

He noted that the current volume of trade between Pakistan and Iran stood at around $3 billion and stressed that achieving the agreed target would require the development of appropriate facilities and infrastructure on both sides of the border.

According to the Iranian minister, reaching trade target would require the movement of around 2,000 trucks daily or an equivalent level of commercial activity. However, he said only about 20% of the required trade movement was currently taking place.

He said regional cooperation and the prevailing situation in the region would also feature prominently in discussions during his visit.

Later, Momeni met Naqvi in Islamabad, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the Iranian minister expressed pleasure at meeting Naqvi again, referring to him as his "brother". He described Pakistan-Iran relations as exemplary and praised the hospitality extended by the Pakistani government and people.

"I have always appreciated the hospitality of the government and people of Pakistan," Momeni said.

Naqvi expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote closer ties between the two neighbouring countries. He also voiced hope for positive developments on regional issues.

"I hope Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has brought good news. Your visit to Pakistan will further promote bilateral relations, and we also hope for progress on the regional situation," Naqvi said.

The Iranian interior minister is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during his visit.

Momeni's trip comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran and the United States engaged in renewed confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about the durability of a fragile interim agreement between the two countries.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson had signalled on Monday that diplomatic exchanges with the United States via mediators were ongoing despite US military strikes on the country.

Pakistan said last week it would encourage the warring nations to stop violence and resume talks under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month.

The interim agreement and a possible path towards a permanent halt to the war had come into question when fresh fighting broke out this month.

Momeni has previously taken part in mediation talks and met with Interior Minister Naqvi when he visited Iran.

— Additional input from AFP