Islamabad – 3 October 2024 ( ) : A two-member delegation of the National Federation of Journalists (NFJ) met with the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam. The delegation was led by NFJ Secretary General Abid Siddique Chaudhry, accompanied by Joint Secretary Adnan Hameed. During the meeting, discussions centered on enhancing media cooperation between the two countries and strengthening the long-standing bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran.
According to an NFJ spokesperson, Abid Siddique Chaudhry expressed condolences on behalf of the federation over the martyrdom of Hassan Nasrallah. He also recorded his sentiments in the condolence book, acknowledging Nasrallah’s decades-long association with the Palestinian cause. He remarked that Nasrallah’s martyrdom is a great loss to the Palestinian liberation movement, and this void cannot be easily filled.
Chaudhry also briefed the Iranian Ambassador on NFJ’s objectives and highlighted his recent participation in the “Imam Khomeini Memorial” and “Gaza Conference” in Tehran. He emphasized the need for continued exchanges of journalist delegations between the two countries to foster stronger media relations.
Earlier, Ambassador Moghadam warmly welcomed the NFJ delegation, expressing gratitude for their visit and commitment to media collaboration. During the discussion, the ambassador stressed that Muslim nations must fully support the Palestinian movement, particularly as certain Arab countries move towards recognizing Israel. He called for an immediate halt to economic and trade relations with Israel, condemning its bombings on innocent civilians in Lebanon and Palestine. He reiterated Iran’s stance in strongly opposing such brutalities and assured unwavering support to Lebanon and Palestine during these challenging times.
In response to a question, the Iranian Ambassador warned that failure to unite Muslim nations could risk further destabilization across other Arab countries. He pointed out that the U.S. is supplying food and other goods to Israel through India, further intensifying the crises.
Speaking on Pakistan-Iran relations, Ambassador Moghadam emphasized the deep-rooted cultural, social, religious, and economic ties between the two brotherly nations, urging for their further expansion. He also highlighted the vital role media can play in countering the negative propaganda spread by Western and American outlets. The ambassador reiterated that Iran is a peace-loving country and does not seek regional tensions.
Commenting on recent incidents, the ambassador condemned the targeting and martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh and other dignitaries during the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian President, viewing it as an attack on Iran’s sovereignty. Despite this provocation, Iran exhibited restraint, which drew significant international criticism. He further added that Iran will never step back from supporting Palestine and Lebanon in the face of Israeli bombardment.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the NFJ delegation presented a commemorative shield to the Iranian Ambassador in appreciation of his time and hospitality.
