Iranian FM to arrive in Islamabad today

The completion of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project will help Pakistan overcome its energy shortage, Prime Minister Sharif was quoted as saying.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Wednesday met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss Iranian proposals to bring an end to the Syrian conflict.

Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks the conflict, confirmed the ceasefire and said talks would continue on evacuating fighters from Zabadani and sending food aid to Kefraya and Foua where thousands of people are under rebel siege.

The deaths came as Syria’s warring parties declared a 48-hour ceasefire in a frontline area after a month of unprecedented mediation from Turkey and Iran, backers of rival sides in Syria.

In Syria, the United States and regional powers including Turkey and Saudi Arabia say Assad must go as part of any settlement.

Javad Zarif has called for unity in Muslim world and said no country, including India, can undermine the importance of Pakistan for Iran.

Zarif will also meet Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who had recently visited Iran and signed an MoU that allows Indian and Iranian commercial entities to begin talks towards finalising commercial contracts.

Regional developments, nuclear agreement and the conditions of the two countries’ nationals are among topics of discussion of Zarif with Indian officials.

“I believe that all of us in this region have the same destiny”.

Iran’s deal with world powers on its nuclear program would provide a basis for cooperation with other regional states, Zarif added.

“We have agreed that enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector is one of the major areas of mutually beneficial cooperation”, he said.

“Pakistan enjoys close and cordial relations with Iran deeply rooted in history, culture and geography”, the advisor said.

He said violence, insecurity and terrorism in the region, the Middle East and in general, needs to be dealt with.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Arab Islamic Council, Shia scholar Muhammad Ali Al-Husseini condemned what he described as “Zarif’s suspicious visit to Beirut”.

Asserting that Iran has been a “reliable partner”, he said India should take advantage of the time before the western countries start making their investments after lifting of sanctions in the next 3-5 months.