ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain said on Saturday that international community’s decision to lift economic sanctions against Iran would pave the way for greater economic relations between Pakistan and Iran.
He said that all possible efforts should be made to enhance Iran-Pakistan trade and economic relations and expressed the optimism that the two countries would achieve the bilateral trade target of $5 billion for mutual benefit. The president expressed these views during his meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid were also present during the meeting.
The president said that Iran was not only Pakistan’s good friend and neighbour, but a brotherly state, adding that friendship between the two countries was rooted in shared history, culture and faith. He expressed the hope that the visit of the Iranian president would be a milestone in bilateral relations and would strengthen the ties between the two countries in diverse areas. He said that energy deficit was a major issue in Pakistan and it was top priority of the government to overcome electricity shortage as soon as possible. He called for increased cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. He observed that collaboration in the field of energy would increase at a faster pace after removal of sanctions against Iran. Hussain suggested that the two countries should increase their cooperation in the fields of defence, science and information technology to take their relationship to new heights. He highlighted the importance of better connectivity in the region and called for air, road and rail networks for regional integration.
The president reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating extremism and terrorism and said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb would continue till elimination of the last terrorist from the country. He said the operation would help establish peace in Pakistan as well as in the entire region. He said the government of Pakistan was implementing the National Action Plan to get rid of terrorism.
The president said that Pakistan was sincerely pursuing the vision of a peaceful neighbourhood and wished to have friendly relations with all neighbours, including India. He said the resolution of the Kashmir dispute was essential for improvement in relations with India and urged that sustained and uninterrupted dialogue was the best way to promote bilateral relations and address each other’s concerns. The president said that peace in Afghanistan was necessary, adding that Pakistan was trying its best to facilitate reconciliation in Afghanistan through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group consisting of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States.
Hussain felicitated the president of Iran on the successful and peaceful conduct of elections of the parliament (Majlis) and the Assembly of Experts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, adding that his election to the Assembly of Experts reflected confidence of the people in his leadership. He also congratulated the Iranian president on Nowruz and said that Nowruz was also celebrated with great zeal in Pakistan.
Rouhani said that Iran was ready to help Pakistan meet its energy needs and expand economic cooperation to the benefit of both countries. He expressed his happiness on being in Pakistan and said that both countries should cooperate with each other in every sphere. He paid rich tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet of the East, and declared Urdu and Persian as two branches of one tree.
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