After momentarily suspending diplomatic relations with the neighboring country, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, is currently en route to Tehran, having returned to Pakistan more than a week ago.
The envoy said on X, formerly Twitter, that he will take up his duties in the Islamic Republic after his return. According to reports, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, his counterpart, will return to Pakistan today.
The Iranian ambassador to Pakistan left for Iran on January 16, the same day that Tehran launched an unannounced attack in Balochistan, claiming to be targeting a militant organization late at night.
However, the announcement of the Pakistani envoy’s return coincides with efforts by both nations to restore normalcy to their ties following a brief but violent incident of cross-border tensions.
The two nations reached a mutual agreement earlier this week to have their ambassadors back in their respective positions by January 26, 2024.
Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the counterpart of Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani of Iran, will visit Pakistan on January 29 at the invitation of Jilani, the Foreign Office said in a joint statement released on Monday.
Ambassador Mudassir posted on X, the former Twitter platform, stating that he is on his way back to the Iranian capital “in accordance with the sincere and good wishes of Pakistan’s leadership.”
“Ever more determined to work for a more robust, stronger & peace-loving [Pakistan],” Tipu continued. Tipu had returned to Islamabad on January 17 after the Iranian aggression.
Ambassador Mudassir added that a robust Pakistan and Iran are “critical for region & to promote historic people to people ties” in his remarks about the significance of a peaceful relationship between Islamabad and Tehran.
In his post on X, he stated, “Time to turn a new leaf.”
On January 18, a day and a half after Iran launched its attack—which the Foreign Office called “unprovoked”—the Pakistani military attacked terrorist hideouts within the Iranian border.
The military nicknamed the intelligence-based operation “Marg Bar Sarmachar” involved the killing of multiple terrorists by Pakistan’s reaction.
However, Iran’s attack claimed to have breached the nation’s sovereignty, leaving two youngsters dead and three females injured.