Iran, Pakistan should remain vigilant against common enemies: Pak diplomat

Chairman of Pakistan’s Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) and former ambassador urges Iran and Pakistan to remain vigilant against those forces which are not happy with the development of good ties between the two countries, AVA Diplomatic reports.

In an interview with IRNA, Khalid Mehmood, said that Iran and Pakistan through their joint efforts can overcome all challenges and threats.

Commenting on Iran’s Sacred Defense Week, the diplomat said: ‘This occasion is very important in the history of Iran because on this day regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq with the support of some western powers attacked Iran because he thought since there is transition taking place inside Iran, he could take advantage and advance his ulterior designs but Iranian nation got together and put a very heroic resistance and Saddam Hussein’s admissions failed,’ Mehmood said who also served as an envoy in Iran.

He noted that it is recorded in the history what a brave response the Iranian nation gave.

“The armed forces of Iran are not separate entity. They get their support from the people of Iran that is what guarantees the successful resistance of Iranians against foreign aggression,” said the former ambassador.

He said: ‘ was the ambassador of Pakistan to Iran so I know very intimately how Iranian people and how Iranian leaders feel about Pakistan.’

“I think they have the friendliest, most brotherly feelings about Pakistan and same feelings are reciprocated from the people and the government of Pakistan towards Iran,” said Khalid Mehmood.

The analyst expressing his views said two months ago he was in Iran and had interaction with the think tanks there and with the officials in the foreign ministry and the message he got from there was that both countries have to be careful about those forces which are not happy with the development of good ties between the two countries.

“We have to be very careful about those who want to undermine our relationship. Jointly we can meet all common challenges and threats,” said the expert on international affairs.

The diplomat added that Iran and Pakistan must have greater exchanges, greater interaction so that the scope of cooperation and trust increases.

“We have to make greater effort to translate our good will into practical proposition,” he pointed out.

Talking on Afghanistan, the analyst went on to say that the American policies are primarily responsible from the state of affairs in Afghanistan.

“Who committed the original sin of attacking this area, oppression in this area, interfering in internal policies; these are American policies and now when there is a reaction instead of accepting the responsibility they start blaming others,” said Khalid Mehmood.

He added: the game is very clear. The US wants to use force but it will not achieve any political genuine settlement.

“They have to follow political path, the peaceful path of settlement respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the nations in the region,” viewed the former ambassador.