FM Qureshi, Iranian counterpart discuss COVID-19 situation

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a telephone call from Foreign Minister of Iran Dr Javad Zarif on Thursday. Offering condolences over the loss of precious lives in Iran due to COVID-19, FM Qureshi expressed the hope that Iran would achieve success against the pandemic.

During the telephonic conversation, the two foreign ministers discussed the recent outbreak of desert locust in the region and agreed on the need for collective endeavors to effectively address this menace. They also exchanged views on the Afghan peace process. FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support for peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and our hopes for the earliest commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations.

He expressed thanks for Iranian leadership’s principled position on the rights of the Kashmiri people and highlighted enhanced difficulties in occupied Kashmir due to communications restrictions and lack of unfettered access to medical and other supplies to address COVID-19. The foreign minister also drew his attention to the demonization of Muslims in India in the context of COVID-19, emphasizing that it should be rejected by the world community.