TEHRAN / ISLAMABAD — October 29, 2025:
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, calling Iran a “partner in peace” during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.
According to an official statement, Naqvi conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message of goodwill to President Pezeshkian and highlighted Pakistan’s desire to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of security and counterterrorism.
“Iran and Pakistan are partners in regional peace and stability,” Naqvi said, expressing Islamabad’s intent to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
The meeting comes as Islamabad faces sustained tension with two of its neighbours — Iran and Afghanistan — amid recurring border clashes and rising militant activity.
President Pezeshkian, while lauding Pakistan’s longstanding support, said Iran “attaches special importance” to its ties with Islamabad and emphasised the need to fully capitalise on the “vast opportunities” between the two nations. He also offered to play a “fraternal role” in easing Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions.
Background: Border challenges and regional talks
Pakistan and Iran, which share a nearly 900-kilometre border, have in recent years faced security threats from proscribed groups such as Jaish al-Adl and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Both sides reaffirmed their August agreement to strengthen border management and jointly combat terrorism for regional peace and prosperity.
Naqvi’s visit comes against the backdrop of deteriorating Pakistan-Afghanistan relations following cross-border attacks earlier this month. The violence erupted after an October 11 assault on Pakistani territory allegedly launched from across the Afghan border — an incident that followed unverified Taliban claims of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan.
While Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban to prevent militant groups from operating on Afghan soil, Kabul denies the allegations.
Recent peace efforts between the two countries, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, have yet to produce a breakthrough. Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar confirmed earlier today that the latest round of talks in Istanbul had “failed to bring about any workable solution.”
Meetings with Iranian officials
During his Tehran visit, Naqvi also met with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Ardeshir Larijani and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
Both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in counterterrorism, anti-narcotics operations, and border management, agreeing to strengthen institutional coordination to address shared security challenges.
“We are keen to expand cooperation with Iran, especially in the areas of security and counter-narcotics,” Naqvi said.
Larijani described the progress in bilateral relations as “encouraging and constructive.”
Naqvi also congratulated Minister Momeni on the successful hosting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Ministerial Conference, calling it a “significant milestone with far-reaching implications” for regional states. He extended an invitation for Momeni to visit Pakistan, which the Iranian minister accepted.
Pakistan’s Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, Ambassador Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, and senior officials from both sides attended the meetings.
