PR. No. 215/2009

Date: 01/06/2009   

FOREIGN MINISTER CONDEMNS THE ZAHIDAN TERROR ACT

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly condemned the heinous terrorist act in Zahidan, Iran, this past Thursday (28 May) which took over 20 innocent lives and injured many. The Foreign Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Iran, as well as to the families of the victims of this cowardly act.

The Foreign Minister recalled the successful Trilateral Summit held in Tehran on 24 May and the President of Pakistan's in-depth talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Our two countries enjoyed excellent relations rooted in history and common faith and culture. These relations had witnessed tremendous expansion in the last one year. The Foreign Minister emphasized that Pakistan-Iran relations were based on solid foundations and bound to continue strengthening in the times ahead.

Terming the media reports about the sealing of the Pakistan-Iran border as baseless and mala fide, the Foreign Minister said that the border between our two countries was never closed. In fact five Iranian trucks carrying relief goods for the dislocated persons crossed over today, the Foreign Minister added. 

The Foreign Minister underlined that the scourge of terrorism was our common enemy.  Pakistan and Iran were committed to fight against it. Bilateral three-tier security mechanism was in place to collaborate on border security issues. This mechanism was being effectively utilized.  The Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan and Iran were committed to ensuring peace and tranquility along their border.

The Foreign Minister said that security and diplomatic officials of the two countries were in touch with each other and that our two countries were fully cooperating to bring the perpetrators of the Zahidan incident to justice.

Islamabad
1 June 2009