Pakistan, Iran vow to expand cooperation in diverse areas

Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran on Monday reiterated the resolve to further broaden mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas of common interest.

This resolve was expressed at a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and his Iranian counterpart Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi in Islamabad on Monday.

Both sides underscored the need for operationalizing bilateral trade mechanisms to boost the volume of trade up to ten billion dollars.

They urged the need to work together to overcome the challenges being faced by the region.

Besides, they discussed key regional and global developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and strongly condemned Israel’s military aggression against the people of Gaza that had resulted in the killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians. He assured that Pakistan would consistently and unequivocally support the Palestinian cause.

Both the leaders reiterated the need for enhanced international endeavours to bring an end to Israeli suppression of the people of Gaza and for enhanced humanitarian relief and assistance.

Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan and Iran enjoy close fraternal ties based on shared religion, culture, and history, which need to be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.

He thanked Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi for being the first Head of State to visit Pakistan after the general elections, which reflects the deep personal commitment of the Iranian President to Pakistan.

The Pakistan President appreciated Iran’s principled stance and its consistent support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and their right to self-determination.

Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi emphasized the need for further expanding and consolidating bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest. He said the interest of the two brotherly countries call for further cementing economic, trade and cultural relations.

Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi highlighted that both countries have enormous potential to increase bilateral trade to the level of ten billion dollars.

He appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support for their Palestinian brethren during the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.