Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Consul General Saeed Kharazi called on the Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, on Monday.
Cooperation between the two countries in different sectors as well as matters of common interest were discussed in the meeting.
At the meeting, Mian Shahbaz Sharif described Iran as a brotherly neighboring country of Pakistan, and stressed the two countries’ deep-rooted friendly relations.
He said that Iran has always supported Pakistan at the time of need.
The Pakistani official further said that ties between the two countries are growing with the passage of time.
He said that the whole world is facing serious economic crisis and there is a need to promote further economic cooperation between the two countries in the present critical situation.
He said that Iran and Pakistan should take further steps to bring closer the people of the two counties and joint projects should be launched for the development of different sectors.
He said that there are vast opportunities for investment and cooperation in different sectors in Punjab and that Iranian government can extend cooperation in the construction of small dams, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, road construction and other sectors.
He said that implementation of joint projects in these sectors can further strengthen bilateral ties.
The Punjab Chief Minister said that Pakistan is passing through a critical phase and is facing the threat of terrorism.
He said that due to wrong policies of Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan is encountering multiple problems but the country could overcome the crises by evolving policies that aim to uphold national interests.
He said that PML(N) Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has a clear stance and that is to hold dialogue instead of using power for maintaining peace, law and order.
However, he said, those trying to undermine national integrity will not be spared.
He said that all-out measures are being taken for the rapid development of the province and special attention is being paid to raising the standard of living of common people.
Earlier, Iranian Consul General expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives as a result of suicide attacks in Pakistan.
He said that Iran has deep interest in Pakistan’s sovereignty and prosperity and will extend all-out assistance to Pakistan in overcoming its existing problems and challenges.
The diplomat said that Iran and Pakistan have longstanding historical and cultural relations and Iranian government is deeply interested in cooperation in agriculture, health, infrastructure, culture and different sectors in Punjab.
He said that there is a vast scope of mutual cooperation between Iranian provinces of Khurasan, Ispahan and Punjab and a delegation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ispahan will soon visit Punjab.
The envoy said that world’s fourth tallest building has been constructed in Iran and Iranian construction engineers have executed the entire construction work.
He said that people of Iran and Pakistan should undertake visits to each other’s country to personally witness development activities.
The Chief Minister assured Iranian Consul General of all-out cooperation of the provincial government of Punjab with the Iranian government in different sectors.
