Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday continued diplomatic outreach to regional countries by holding telephonic conversations with his Iraqi and Bahraini counterparts and agreed to work jointly for restoration of regional peace in the wake of the US-Iran tension.
According to a statement of the Foreign Office, in conversations separately with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali Alhakim and his Bahraini counterpart Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the foreign minister discussed the peace and security situation and the efforts for restoration of peace and stability in the region.
In his conversation with Iraqi foreign minister, the two sides agreed to continue the consultation process to reduce tensions in the region and to make joint efforts for peace.
Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed concerns over the growing tension in the region, adding that the region cannot afford any new confrontation. He told his Iraqi counterpart that Pakistan has clearly stated that the parties need to resolve their issues through dialogue in the light of international laws.
Foreign Minister Qureshi stated that the two sides should keep in view the sovereignty and integrity of Iraq, adding that the tensions need to be reduced to create an environment for dialogue.
The foreign minister also informed his Iraqi counterpart that he had discussed the situation with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Russia. He further told his Iraqi counterpart that he will soon be visiting Iran and other countries on the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
It stated that the Iraqi foreign minister appreciated Pakistan's efforts to ease tensions in the region.
Qureshi also telephoned the foreign minister of Bahrain and discussed with him Iran-US tensions and the overall security situation of the Middle East. The foreign minister told his Bahraini counterpart that it will have negative conservancies for the whole region if the rising tensions are not defused.
According to the Foreign Office statement, both the foreign ministers agreed on joint efforts for peace in the region, adding that the Bahrain's foreign minister praised Pakistan's efforts to reduce tensions in the region and the restoration of peace.
Tension escalated between the US and Iran following the assassination of top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone attack in Baghdad on January 3, followed by Iranian retaliation by launching over a dozen of ballistic missiles against the US bases in Iraq on January 8.
Earlier in the day, the newly appointed Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Syed Mohammad Ali Hussaini called on Foreign Minister Qureshi. Both the sides discussed the latest situation and regional peace, the Foreign Office said.
It stated that Foreign Minister Qureshi said that growing tensions do not benefit anyone in the region.
The minister said that he is in touch with various foreign ministers of the region and on the special direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan he will be visiting Iran and other countries very soon. He greeted and welcomed the ambassador for his appointment in Pakistan.
The Iranian ambassador thanked the foreign minister and assured that he will use all his efforts to further expand bilateral relations between the two countries.
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