Larijani urges expansion of Iran-Pakistan security cooperation

Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Monday called for Tehran-Islamabad security cooperation to eradicate terrorism.

The Iranian Parliament speaker made the remarks in a meeting with Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate Farooq N. Naek held on the sidelines of the 121st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union which was kicked off in Geneva Monday.

Tehran considers Pakistan as its friendly country, Larijani said, underlining the need for uprooting terrorism in the region.

He reiterated that continuation of the current situation would damage Iran-Pakistan friendly relations.

Tehran expects Islamabad to take serious steps towards eradication of terrorism, he said.

Underlining the need for further expansion of all-out cooperation between the two neighboring states, Larijani urged Pakistani authorities to help the release of the abducted Iranian charge d’affaires to Pakistan.

For his part, Naek voiced his country’s deep regret over the recent terrorist operation in southeast Iran, stressing that the terrorist elements have nothing to do with the Pakistani government.

Some 60 people were killed or injured in the terrorist act which took place when a bomber blew himself up during a meeting held for the unity of provincial Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the southeastern Iranian Sistan and Balouchestan province on Sunday.

Acting Commander of the Ground Forces of IRGC and Commander of Qods Headquarters Brigadier General Nourali Shoushtari along with Commander of Sistan and Balouchestan IRGC Forces Brigadier General Rajabali Mohammadzadeh were among those killed in the fatal attack.

He regretted that the Pakistani nation, itself, has always been a victim of terrorism, adding that some 2.5 million Pakistani people have become homeless as a result of terrorist operations in their own country.

He also vowed to follow up the case of the Iranian diplomat abducted in Pakistan.

Parliamentarians from 120 countries are discussing various issues, including terrorism, human trafficking and organized crime during the three-day IPU meeting.

The IPU is an international organization established in 1889. It has 153 members and its headquarters is in Geneva.

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