Dr.Syed Mehboob
Economic and Political Analyst
http//:www.thenewslark.com
A planned, organized butchery and genocide of Palestinians by Israel jeopardized peace in the region and created threats for many countries. The need for defence cooperation between Muslims and other peace-loving countries is the need of the time. Pakistan and Iran have taken the initiative to enhance their defence cooperation. Iranian Chief of Army Staff General Bagheri arrived in Pakistan on 19th January 2025.
On his arrival in Pakistan, he was warmly welcomed by both Pakistan armed forces and civilian officials. General Bagheri highlighted the growing cooperation and coordination between the two brother countries on various regional and international issues. He further elaborated that Pakistan and Iran have witnessed significant events in the region over the past year which demands further cooperation between the two countries. Bagheri noted the positive development in military relations between the two countries in recent years. “Relations between the Iranian and Pakistani armed forces have been developing, and we have reached good agreements,” he stated.He pointed out that the two countries are working to resolve security issues while expanding friendship and economic ties along their shared border.
“The main topics of our visit include border issues and the development of military relations,” Bagheri elaborated.The top general’s visit to Islamabad follows an official invitation from the Commander of the Pakistan Army, General Hafiz Syed Asim Munir.This visit marks General Bagheri’s third trip to Pakistan, following his visits in July 2018 and October 2021.Last year, General Munir made an official visit to Tehran, meeting with General Bagheri and other Iranian military and civilian officials.
Tehran and Islamabad have intensified their military cooperation in recent years, particularly in response to shared security concerns along their 909-kilometer border. Specifically, in 2023, Iran and Pakistan conducted a joint border security exercise. This exercise aimed to enhance operational coordination against terrorism, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities. Furthermore, the two countries signed a security cooperation agreement in April 2024. The agreement includes the deployment of colonel-rank officers in border areas for better coordination in counterterrorism efforts.This comes after meetings with Pakistani officials on the activities of regional terrorist groups during his visit to Pakistan.Following a series of consultations, both nations reached several significant agreements, underscoring a unified approach to addressing mutual security concerns.
The talks covered a range of security issues, particularly focusing on the instability in Afghanistan and the urgent need to address terrorism affecting the border regions between Iran and Pakistan. Araghchi highlighted that the shared border areas are frequent targets of violent extremist groups, emphasizing the necessity of coordinated action and information-sharing to enhance border security.
The Indus Shield exercise is an important multinational aerial exercise organized by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at the PAF Base Mushaf in Sargodha, Pakistan. This event, hosted by the PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence (ACE), brings together key air forces from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran, to conduct joint training and improve interoperability.
Major General Muhammad Bagheri, the Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, called on the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Army Staff, General Hafiz Asim Munir on 20th January 2025. During the meeting with President Zardari both General Bagheri and President Zardari emphasized the need to promote trade and economic relations for the mutual benefits of the two countries. Terrorism a menace was highlighted as a shared challenge, one that both countries needed to take effective and coordinated measures to address.
The Iranian Armed Forces Chief also appreciated Pakistan’s stance on Gaza and Lebanon. Major General Muhammad Bagheri also visited General Head Quarters (GHQ ) in Rawalpindi, where he met with Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. Meanwhile, according to Inter-Services Public Relations, Maj Gen Bagheri visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where he met Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir. Upon his arrival at GHQ, Major General Muhammad Bagheri laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar e shuhada to pay homage to Pakistan’s martyrs. On arrival at GHQ, he was warmly welcomed and the guard of honour was presented by a smartly turned contingent of the Pakistan Army.
Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri is the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces. The Chief of Staff is considered the highest-ranking military officer in the Islamic Republic of Iran and is responsible for the coordination and supervision of Iran’s regular Army (Artesh) and The Islamic Revolutionary Corps (IRGC). Bagheri ascended to this post through a storied family military history and quiet competence. His arrival at the helm of the Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) also bolstered the IRGC’s role in Iran’s national command structure. In addition to his military training, Bagheri received a conventional education as an Engineering student and later earned a doctoral degree in political geography from Tarbiyat e Modares University.
Bagheri’s revolutionary activities date back to the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979. He was one of the students who attacked and seized the US embassy, and Iranian media indicates that he deployed to the battlefield one month after the Iran-Iraq war began. Bagheri’s older brother, Hassan Bagheri also served in Iranian forces. Mohammad Bagheri spent the rest of his professional career living in the shadow of his elder brother’s martyrdom during the war, which also helped propel his career. Soon after Hassan’s demise, Bagheri was named as head of intelligence for the IRGC’s Ground Forces and the first deputy for intelligence and operations for the IRGC. In these positions, Bagheri can be seen as modeling himself after his brother’s wartime experience, especially the focus on intelligence, as Hassan stressed the need for “information on the enemy.” Indeed, Bagheri later admitted this dynamic: “I don’t see myself as a significant person to be seen. Naturally, martyr Hassan Bagheri and other martyrs like him had this greatness, with their shadow cast over me and people like me.” Towards the end of the war, Iran started a reorganization of its armed forces, which reduced the autonomy of the IRGC. It established the AFGS in 1988 to spearhead coordination between the Artesh and the IRGC. A year later, in 1989, the regime eliminated the IRGC’s Ministry and folded it into the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).
Iranian Army Chief reflects on the importance of Pakistan and the growing defence ties between the two countries.