Punjab governor expresses sorrow over Haniyeh's assassination

Lahore:  Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan expressed deep sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas, and his bodyguard in the Israeli attack in Tehran.

Governor Punjab strongly condemned the attack. Governor Punjab also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ismail Haniya and the Palestinian people.

He was holding a meeting with Consul General of Islamic Republic of Iran at governor house in Lahore on Wednesday.

 In the meeting, the strengthening of relations between Pakistan and Iran in the fields of education, culture and trade  was discussed. Governor of Punjab also offered condolence over the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas, during the meeting with Iranian Consul General Mehran Movahed Far.

 The Iranian Consul General congratulated the Governor of Punjab on assuming office.

During the meeting, the Iranian Consul General informed about the ease of travel facilities for Pakistani pilgrims under the new policy of travelling by road. He also thanked the Pakistani nation for their help and unwavering support for the suffering Palestinian Muslims.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Governor, Sardar Saleem Haider said that Pakistan and Iran are bound together by religion, culture and historical ties. He said that Iran is a brotherly Islamic country and Pakistanis have strong bond of love and respect with Irani people. Punjab Governor said that the last visit of  late President Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan was a historic and memorable visit. He paid tributes to the late Irani President, Ebrahim Raisi for his role in strengthening  Pakistan-Iran relations. 

Governor Punjab said that the late President Ebrahim Raisi during his last visit to Pakistan laid the foundation for new projects by signing various memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and Iran in various fields. He said that the Pakistani government and people were shocked and saddened by the martyrdom of late President Ebrahim Raisi. On this occasion, Governor Punjab assured Irani Consul General of considering steps to promote Persian language as chancellor of public and private varsities in Punjab.

Consul General of Iran Mehran Movahed Far said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is trying to facilitate Pakistan pilgrims in their travel to sacred places in Iran .

He said that there is a need to expand trade relations between Pakistan and Iran. The Iranian Consul General said that work is being done on the exchange of delegations of students and teachers between Pakistan and Iran. He also informed about the difficulties faced by the Iranian students in obtaining study visa for admission to educational institutions in Pakistan  .

Iranian Consul General, Mehran Movahed Far reiterated that Iran attaches special importance to relations with Pakistan. "We want peace, and prosperity for the people of Pakistan," he added.  He further said that roads in major cities in Iran are named after respected Pakistani personalities. He added that a huge highway in Tehran is named after Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah along with the statue of Allama Iqbal erected in Mashhad. Consul General of Iran Mehran Movahed Far also invited Governor Punjab to visit Iran .