Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with the Afghan deputy interior minister in Tehran on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Interior Ministers’ meeting, according to reports from foreign media.
The meeting focused on regional cooperation and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid ongoing efforts to address cross-border challenges and enhance mutual understanding.
Speaking to Iranian media following the meeting, Naqvi drew an analogy between nations and families, emphasizing that disagreements are natural but can be resolved peacefully.
“Just as there are differences in every home, so too do we. But we will resolve our differences through dialogue,” he said, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic engagement and constructive communication with Afghanistan.
On the other hand, Iran has offered to play a mediating role between Pakistan and Afghanistan following the collapse of recent peace talks in Istanbul.
The proposal came during a meeting between Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohsin Naqvi, where both sides emphasized unity and dialogue among Muslim nations.
According to Iranian media, Naqvi met with Pezeshkian in Tehran to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and addressing security challenges in the region.
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The Iranian president underscored the importance of fostering unity and brotherhood among Muslim countries against common adversaries. “We attach great importance to relations with Pakistan,” Pezeshkian said, while reiterating Iran’s commitment to promoting peace and cooperation in South Asia.
Naqvi welcomed Iran’s willingness to mediate between Islamabad and Kabul, saying Pakistan values any constructive role that could help reduce regional tensions.
Moreover, the minister held a series of other important meetings, focusing on border management, counter-terrorism, and enhanced security cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. Naqvi met the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Ardeshir Larijani, and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, with whom he discussed a range of mutual concerns and strategies to improve coordination on internal and border security.
Focus on counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, border security
During the meetings, both sides held detailed discussions on counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, and border management, agreeing to strengthen mechanisms for joint operations and intelligence sharing.
Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan is committed to expanding cooperation with Iran, particularly in the fields of counter-narcotics and border security, to ensure peace and stability across the shared frontier.
He said, “Pakistan wants to increase cooperation with Iran for counter-narcotics, including security. Promoting mutual collaboration and establishing joint contacts will help both nations achieve long-term regional stability.”
Iran welcomes Pakistan’s commitment to stronger ties
Larijani, welcomed what he called “positive progress in bilateral relations”, acknowledging the need for continued cooperation to combat shared security challenges. Iranian officials appreciated Pakistan’s proactive approach to strengthening coordination on border management and curbing cross-border crime.
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In a separate meeting with Momeni, Naqvi discussed ways to enhance Pak-Iran institutional cooperation, particularly in the areas of internal security and anti-narcotics operations. He congratulated Momeni on the successful holding of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Ministerial Conference, describing it as “a significant milestone with far-reaching results for the member countries.”
He added that Pakistan and Iran should continue to share experiences and best practices to strengthen their internal security frameworks.
During the discussions, Naqvi extended an invitation to his Iranian counterpart to visit Pakistan. Momeni accepted the invitation, expressing his intention to visit Islamabad soon “to meet his brother.”
The Iranian minister also thanked Mohsin Naqvi for attending the ECO Ministerial Conference, noting that Pakistan’s participation reflected the two nations’ shared commitment to regional cooperation and development.
