Islamabad Keen On Ties With Tehran: Pakistan Foreign Secretary

Islamabad, Feb 7, IRNA – Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Monday said that Pakistan is keen on its relations with Iran. Talking to IRNA exclusively, he said that Iran-Pakistan relationship is brotherly, friendly and deep rooted. “We have a very good future in terms of bilateral cooperation,” noted the Pakistani official. Foreign Secretary did not comment on the reported date of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Pakistan when asked. “The date has to be given by the Iranian side”, he added. Replying to a question about the security situation of the region, Salman Bashir said Pakistan has been affected for many years by the poor security situation and definitely wants to promote peace and stability in the region. “We think it is important for regional countries to work together especially to improve the situation in Afghanistan,” he opined. He added Pakistan itself has reached out to Islamic Republic of Iran and other brotherly neighboring countries to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan. “We also need to work together with our Afghan brothers,” suggested Salman Bashir. Giving details of the scheduled Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan summit meeting in Islamabad, he said that the meeting would help in devising ways to find out solutions to the regional problems. “This would be the third trilateral conference. The first was held in Tehran in 2009, the second one was held last year in Tehran and this time Pakistan has offered to host the third trilateral conference in consultation with both brotherly countries, Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan,” the Foreign Secretary said. “I think the visit of the Iranian Vice President for International Affairs to Pakistan is very timely in terms of making requisite contacts for the preparations of the conference,” he maintained./end