Staff Report
ISLAMABAD : Pakistan and Iran on Monday agreed that their ambassadors would return to their respective posts by Jan 26.According to the Foreign Office, an agreement to this effect was reached during a telephonic conversation between caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
A joint press statement was released following the telephonic conversation by both Pakistan and Iran.
“Following the telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, it has been mutually agreed that ambassadors of both countries may return to their respective posts by January 26, 2024,” the FO said in the statement.
Besides, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Jilani, the Iranian foreign minister will undertake a visit to Pakistan on January 29, it added.
— Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 22, 2024
Pakistan had recalled its ambassador from Iran following the violation of its airspace by Tehran on Jan 16. Islamabad conveyed to Tehran that their envoy might also not return for the time being.
Iran violated Pakistan’s airspace on Jan 16, Tuesday, by firing a missile at Balochistan, resulting in the tragic death of two children and injuries to three girls. Tehran’s unilateral move prompted Islamabad to recall its ambassador.
Islamabad also conveyed to Tehran that their envoy might also not return for the time being.
Pakistan launched strikes on terrorists’ hideouts inside Iran in a retaliatory attack two days later on Jan 18.
The tit-for-tat strikes across the porous border between the two neighbours fueled fears of wider instability in the region since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct 7 last year.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Pakistan and Iran to exercise maximum restraint, with the US and China also appealing for restraint.
On Jan 19, Friday, both countries agreed to mend the ties, signaling a desire to de-escalate tensions during a telephonic conversation between FM Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Abdollahian.
FM Jilani expressed Pakistan’s readiness to work with Iran on all issues based on spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. He also underscored the need for closer cooperation on security issues.
The same day, FM Jilani told Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan over telephone that Pakistan had no interest or desire for escalation.
Jiani also said that Pakistan’s Operation “Marg Bar Sarmachar” was directed at terrorist camps inside Iran.
The diplomats of Pakistan and Iran had on Jan 18 engaged in what Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch called “some positive exchanges” with both sides stressing for dialogue and restoration of trust to end the standoff.
