PM Imran calls for boosting bilateral economic ties between Iran, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the need for enhanced bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Iran. 

He expressed these views during a meeting in Islamabad between Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Zarif arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit which the foreign ministry said would help in deepening bilateral cooperation and developing a better understanding of each other’s perspective on regional issues.

He was accompanied by senior officials, including Iran’s special envoy for Afghanistan Mohammad Ibrahim Taheriyan.

Welcoming Zarif at his office, Prime Minister Imran noted that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed close and cordial relations and said the two countries “must further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit”, according to a series of tweets by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Foreign Minister of Iran Dr. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI today. pic.twitter.com/pIct78zfKB

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) November 11, 2020

The premier said the two neighbors should place special emphasis on bilateral trade and economic relations and underscored the need to work closely for promoting peace, security and development in the region.

Reiterating that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict, he highlighted Pakistan’s efforts towards facilitating peace and stability in Afghanistan, the tweets said.

Prime Minister Imran reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and “hoped that this historic opportunity would be seized by all Afghan parties to secure a political settlement”.

Peace in Afghanistan will be beneficial for the entire region as it will create new opportunities for trade and economic cooperation as well as regional connectivity, PM  added.

The prime minister also extended condolences over the loss of lives in Iran due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sharing Pakistan’s experience to deal with the health crisis, PM Imran said the “smart lockdown” strategy and other measures taken by his government had led to a “significant containment of the pandemic in Pakistan”.

During the meeting, Zarif conveyed personal greetings and the commitment of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to work closely with Prime Minister Imran for further strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields. According to the PM Office, “He also reaffirmed Iran’s steadfast support for the Kashmir cause.”