Iran, Pakistan Ties, Important For Region : Ummah

Islamabad, Feb 22, IRNA – Pakistan says that its relations with Iran are important for the region and also for the whole Muslim ummah. “We must rise above the difficulties to totally nullify the designs of our enemies,” Pakistani Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said at a meeting with the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran Alireza Haghighian in Islamabad on Friday. Talking to the Ambassador, the Minister said that Pakistan’s relations with Iran are embedded in common historical, cultural, religious, economic and geographical links. The Minister said that he is single-mindedly committed to further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries and to evolve this friendship as a model for the entire region. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said we must rise above the current irritants and endeavor to protect the fundamentals of Pakistan-Iran relations. He said that instead of airing views through the media it will be more appropriate if issues are discussed across the table. He said the two countries and their security agencies should work together to make the entire Pakistan-Iran border safe for the common citizens and a no-go area for militants and terrorists. He said Islamabad-Tehran relations will be taken to a level which reflects the strong, close and brotherly relations that exist between people of the two countries. The Minister opined that no militant or terrorist should be allowed to negatively influence the very close relations between the two countries. The Ambassador reciprocated the sentiments of the Minister and said that government of Islamic Republic of Iran is looking to work closely with the government of Pakistan in further strengthening relations in all fields, including closer economic, cultural and security relations. He said the government of Iran is looking forward to the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Iran which will help in further bolstering relations between the two countries./end