Pakistan, Iran decide to promote their bilateral relations in diverse fields including political, economic, trade & culture
ISLAMABAD, April 22 (SABAH): Pakistan and Iran have decided to promote their bilateral relations in diverse fields including political, economic, trade and culture.
The understanding came at the delegation level talks between the two countries in Islamabad on Monday.
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif led the Pakistani delegation while that of Iran by its President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi.
Later at a press stakeout, the Iranian President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi said both the countries have decided to enhance their trade volume to $10 billion. The Iranian President also emphasized the need for promotion of trade and business activities in the border areas for the wellbeing of the peoples there.
Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi said both Pakistan and Iran are determined to fight terrorism and other organized crimes.
He expressed the hope that his visit to Pakistan will be a turning point regarding the expansion and promotion of bilateral relations between the great people of Pakistan and Iran.
In his remarks on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s firm commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations with Iran. He said time has come to transform our border areas into the ones of economic progress and prosperity.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Iran enjoy historic relations and these are deep rooted in common faith and culture. He was confident that the visit of Iranian President will further strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Iran.
The Prime Minister also commended the Iranian stance on Palestinian issue. He said Pakistan stands by the Palestinian people. He said the Muslim countries need to collectively raise voice from various forums in support of the Palestinian people.
The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Iranian leadership for raising voice for the oppressed people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He was confident that the day is not far when the Kashmiri people will also get their right to self-determination.
On the occasion, both the leaders inaugurated the Iran Avenue, while President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi also planted a sapling at the premises of the Prime Minister House.
Meanwhile Iranian President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a meeting in Islamabad on Monday agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism. The two leaders also held discussion to increase trade and communication links between the two countries.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire Pakistani nation welcomes the visit of the Iranian President saying it is the first visit of a head of a state after the general elections in Pakistan.
The Iranian President expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the warm welcome accorded to him.
Meanwhile Pakistan and Iran have signed eight agreements and MoUs for cooperation in diverse fields. The agreements included cooperation in security, judicial assistance in civil matters and veterinary and animal health.
The two countries signed an MOU for establishment of a special economic zone whilst another was signed for film exchanges and cooperation between Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Organization of Cinema and audio visual affairs of Iran.
Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Ministry of Cooperatives, labours and social welfare of Iran as well as Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority and National Standards Organization of Iran also signed MOUs of cooperation. An MOU was also signed on legal cooperation.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Iranian President and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, speaking during a press conference in Tehran before his departure, President Raisi termed Pakistan a “brotherly Islamic country” and underscored historic relations with its government and people.
The president also highlighted that both Islamabad and Tehran have a common position on various global issues including anti-terrorism efforts as well as the violation of human rights in Palestine.
Commenting on his Islamabad trip, Raisi said his visit would see the two sides mulling over various issues including those relating to security, economy and trade.
The Iranian president, expressing the intention to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion, said that Islamabad could benefit from the Iranian market.