NSA Asim Malik discusses security situation with Iranian counter part

ISLAMABAD: The Chief of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and National Security Advisor(NSA), Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, had a telephonic call with Iranian NSA Ali Akbar Ahmadian on Monday, according to media reports.

Both officials have discussed various issues of mutual interest, including the security situation following the recent Pakistan and India stand-off.

Iranian NSA asserted that both countries “will not allow regional peace to be undermined by external players.” Moreover, Lt. Gen. Asim Malik lauded Iran’s “positive and stabilising role” in the region and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to collaborate more closely with Tehran on matters of mutual interest.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday departed for Beijing on a three-day visit to China, on the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In Beijing, Ishaq Dar would hold comprehensive discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as well as other senior Chinese leaders, including key members of the Chinese Communist Party, according to a Foreign Office press release.

The meetings would focus on current regional developments and the multiple dimensions of Pakistan-China relations.

The visit is a part of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China, and a reaffirmation of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two brotherly countries.