Islamabad-Tehran cooperation increasing

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday agreed to the bilateral increase of both economic and political contacts to strengthen relations.

They made the decision during the visits of Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Mohsin Aminzadeh who talked with Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on Wednesday and Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar on Tuesday.

During the talks both sides agreed to forge closer cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, to avoid double taxation, increase contacts between the private sectors, investment, compressed natural gas and the early conclusion of technical-level talks for a gas pipeline from Iran to Pakistan, official sources told Daily Times.

Referring to Pak-Iran relations, Mr Jamali said ties would be strengthened in the future. He sympathised with the ambassador on the large-scale damage caused by the earthquake in Iran. He assured him of Pakistan’s support and cooperation in the rehabilitation process undertaken by their government. Alluding to his visit to Iran last year, he said enhancing relations in the economic field was possible.

Mr Aminzadeh held official talks with Mr Kasuri, who conveyed his sympathies for the Bam earthquake victims. Mr Aminzadeh thanked the Pakistani government for its assistance after the natural disaster. The supply of relief goods and a field hospital set up by Pakistan in Iran helped strengthen ties between both countries, Mr Aminzadeh added.

Mr Aminzadeh expressed satisfaction on the bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. He said friendly relations would be strengthened by high-level contacts planned between the two countries. He referred to the successful visit of Mr Jamali to Iran, when many decisions were taken to strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran.

Mr Kasuri exchanged views with Mr Aminzadeh on regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, developments in Iraq, the war against terrorism, Pak-India relations and the prospects for regional cooperation in the context of the Economic Cooperation Organisation.

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