Pakistan government has cautioned the media against linking Iran with the arrest of an alleged Indian ‘spy’, days after Tehran warned that such reports could have “negative implications” on bilateral ties.
“Iran has nothing to do with the activities of Indian intelligence network. Pakistan and Iran are tied through decades long religious, social, cultural and political bonds, and nothing can come in way of our relations,” Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said here.
Khan said media should be cautious while reporting on Pakistan-Iran “brotherly” relations.
“Our ties with Iran are by no means linked with the arrest of an Indian spy,” he told reporters here on Saturday.
He said the recent visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan was quite “productive but an impression was being given that Iran was involved in certain activities against Pakistan”.
The Iranian authorities, he said, had expressed their concern over news proliferating in a certain section of the media portraying Iran in a negative manner despite the very positive visit of the Iranian President.
The minister also mentioned his meeting with Iranian ambassador Mehdi Honardoost, saying the two sides expressed satisfaction over President Rouhani's visit.
“Honardoost assured that Iran would extend full cooperation on all issues that ensured security and development in the two countries,” Khan said.