Tehran: Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei emphasized the importance of joint efforts between Iran and Pakistan to address the actions of the Israeli regime in Gaza. Ayatollah Khamenei made this statement during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, highlighting Pakistan's significant role in the Muslim world.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the cessation of hostilities between Pakistan and India and expressed hope for resolving differences between the two nations. He acknowledged Pakistan's consistent and firm stance on the issue of Palestine, noting that despite pressures, Pakistan has resisted establishing relations with the Zionist regime.
Ayatollah Khamenei underscored the potential power of the Islamic Ummah to foster unity and strengthen relations among Muslim nations. He stressed that cooperation between Iran and Pakistan could redirect the Palestinian issue onto a more constructive path, countering the motivations of global warmongers to incite discord and conflict.
Highlighting the significance of Palestine as a central concern for the Muslim world, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out the global protests in Europe and the US against the situation in Gaza. He expressed concern over some Muslim countries' alignment with the Israeli regime, emphasizing the need for unified action to ensure the security of Muslim nations.
The Leader expressed optimism about future prospects for the Muslim world and highlighted the historically warm relations between Tehran and Islamabad. He pointed to Pakistan's supportive stance during the Iran-Iraq war as evidence of their strong ties and advocated for increased bilateral cooperation in economic, political, and cultural sectors.
Ayatollah Khamenei also emphasized the necessity of Iran-Pakistan collaboration to further activate the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The meeting, attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saw Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif commend Iran's positive role in addressing the Pakistan-India crisis.
Sharif lamented the international community's inaction regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza. His visit to Tehran, invited by President Masoud Pezeshkian, aims to strengthen bilateral relations and address regional and international issues. Pakistani Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir accompanies Sharif on this second official visit to Tehran within a year. Upon arrival at Mehrabad International Airport, Sharif was welcomed by Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.