Islamabad, 25 October (H.S.):

Hasan Nourian, who previously served as Iran’s Consul General in Karachi, has called for dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding between Iran and Pakistan, expressing confidence that the two countries would overcome their current challenges. He said the two neighbours remained closely connected through shared values, longstanding historical ties and interdependent livelihoods.

Nourian emphasised that the people of both countries shared religious beliefs, social values and cultural traditions. He added that their historical relationship and people-to-people contacts remained strong, providing a solid foundation for continued bilateral cooperation.

According to a report published by The News, Nourian said Iran was currently facing some of the most stringent economic sanctions. He observed that difficulties confronting either country inevitably affected the other, given their interconnected economies and societies.

“Our economies, societies and livelihoods are interconnected,” he said, noting that people in both countries were grappling with inflation and economic uncertainty. He stressed that dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding had become particularly important amid the prevailing circumstances.

Expressing optimism about the future of bilateral relations, Nourian remarked, “No matter how dark the night may be, dawn will eventually break.” He said he remained confident that the two countries would emerge from the current difficulties and move towards a brighter future.

Nourian also thanked the Pakistani people for their empathy, solidarity and support, expressing hope that the difficult period would pass and the dark clouds hanging over the region would soon dissipate.

Meanwhile, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, has condemned alleged Houthi ballistic missile attacks targeting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, asserting that the security of Islam’s holiest sites must never be compromised.

In a video statement issued from Lahore, Ashrafi said Makkah and Madinah held profound religious significance for Muslims worldwide and that protecting these sacred cities was a matter of paramount importance. He warned that their security could not be subject to compromise under any circumstances.

Ashrafi called for urgent emergency meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations Security Council to address the alleged threat and consider appropriate measures.

He described the intentions of Houthi fighters and those supporting them as dangerous, urging leaders across the Muslim world to adopt a clear and united position on the matter.

Reaffirming his support for Saudi Arabia, Ashrafi said the Muslim Ummah stood shoulder to shoulder with the Saudi leadership and people in safeguarding Makkah and Madinah. He emphasised that the protection of the two holy cities remained a shared concern for Muslims across the world.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar