'Pakistan wants regional issues resolved via diplomatic engagement'

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Friday assured his visiting Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, of Pakistan's continued efforts towards reducing tension in the region amid a simmering crisis between Tehran and Washington, Radio Pakistan reported.

Zarif arrived in the capital on a critically timed two-day visit ahead of next week's emergency Arab League meeting called by Saudi Arabia over regional tensions. The purpose of the visit was not made public, but there has been speculation that Iran is looking to Islamabad and its close relationship with Riyadh to help deescalate the situation.

The Iranian foreign minister was expected to hold meetings with Qureshi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, and to brief top Pakistani leadership on current regional developments, Iranian news agency IRNA reported.

Zarif, upon his arrival in the capital, told IRNA that Tehran seeks stronger ties with Islamabad and that "developing strong relations with our immediate neighbours is on the top of Iranian foreign policy."

Qureshi and Zarif are expected to discuss bilateral ties, border security issues, and recent US-Iran tensions, Radio Pakistan reported.

During delegation-level talks between the Pakistani and Iranian sides, Qureshi noted that regional tension was in no one's interest.

He stated that Pakistan wants resolution of all outstanding issues through diplomatic engagement and said that stakeholders need to demonstrate patience and tolerance, Radio Pakistan reported.

Zarif assured Qureshi that Iran "gives value" to Islamabad's efforts to establish peace in the region.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the implementation of decisions made during Prime Minister Imran's recent visit to Iran and agreed to continue cooperation on bilateral matters, according to Radio Pakistan.

Zarif also met Prime Minister Imran where they talked about bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported. The meeting was also attended by Qureshi.

The Iranian foreign minister also met National Assembly Speaker Qaiser where the two stressed on the importance of promoting bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. Qaiser insisted that joint efforts were needed to eliminate terrorism from the region. He added that friendly relations with Iran were essential for the prosperity of the people of both countries.

Zarif said that Iran values its "historic" relations with Pakistan, adding that both countries have a similar outlook over a number of issues.