PM Shehbaz emphasizes on early finalization of Polan-Gwadar project
ISLAMABAD, June 09 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has underlined the need for tapping the vast potential in the areas of trade and economic cooperation and exploring new avenues of collaboration between Pakistan and Iran.
He was talking to Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Mohammad Hosseini, who called on him in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Prime Minister also emphasized on early finalization of Polan-Gwadar project that would provide additional electricity of 100 megawatt from Iran to Pakistan.
In the regional context, Shehbaz Sharif conveyed gratitude for Iran’s consistent support on the issue of Kashmir, especially by the Supreme Leader. He expressed the hope that with the continued support of the international community, the people of Kashmir would achieve their right to self-determination, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and their own wishes.
Highlighting precarious humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister underlined that the people of Afghanistan should be provided access to frozen assets. He appreciated close coordination between the two countries on the situation in Afghanistan.
Shehbaz Sharif also thanked Iran for its timely assistance in controlling forest fire in Balochistan, highlighting that it was a testament to the strong fraternal bond that exists between our two countries and peoples.
The Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to the Iranian leadership and highlighted the importance of close fraternal ties between the two countries, based on shared geography, common heritage and people-to-people linkages. He also emphasized that in view of our historic relations, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, should be celebrated by both countries in a most befitting manner.
The Iranian Ambassador reiterated felicitations from the Iranian leadership to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on assumption of office and reaffirmed commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. He also highlighted close consultations between the two countries on important regional and international issues, including Afghanistan.
While emphasizing the importance of high-level exchanges, the Prime Minister renewed his invitation to the Iranian leadership to visit Pakistan, at an early date.
Meanwhile according to the statement issued by official Iranian news agency, “IRNA”, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stressed the importance of Pakistan’s relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the need to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, saying that Islamabad supports Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
According to IRNA, “Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini” Ambassador of I.R. of Iran met with “Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif” at the Prime Minister’s Palace in Islamabad on Thursday and explained the latest status of the nuclear talks and the obstacles created by the US and Europe for the success of these talks.
During the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif praised the positions of the government and high-ranking officials of I.R. of Iran in supporting the people of Kashmir, and announced the support of the Pakistani government for the peaceful nuclear program of Iran and the continuation of the ongoing negotiations.
He also welcomed the consultations between Tehran and Islamabad on the situation in Afghanistan and called on the international community to pay attention to the deplorable situation of the Afghan people and help overcome the humanitarian and economic crisis in this country.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan expressed his warm greetings to the high officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and thanked the nation for its action and assistance in sending a firefighting plane to extinguish the fire in the forests of Balochistan.
The meeting was attended by “Mohammad Sorkhabi”, Deputy Ambassador and “Masoud Haghighi”, Political Counselor of the Iranian Embassy and the latest state of relations between the two friendly and neighboring countries of Iran and Pakistan in various political, economic and cultural fields were discussed.
During the meeting, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini congratulated Shahbaz Sharif on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan and conveyed the warm greetings of Ayatollah Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He stressed the need for Iran-Pakistan efforts to activate joint committees and commissions, including the Joint Economic Commission and the Joint Consular Commission, the Banking Committee and the facilitate cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.
Announcing Iran’s readiness to cooperate with Pakistan on the developments in Afghanistan, the ambassador presented a report on the latest situation of new border crossings and new border markets and equipping border crossings.