Ex-Minister Welcomes Iran President's upcoming visit to Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb 12, IRNA – Former Pakistan foreign minister has welcomed the upcoming visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Pakistan adding the visit will provide an opportunity for leaders of the two regional countries to further strengthen bilateral relations. Talking to IRNA, Gohar Ayub Khan said that Iran and Pakistan are tied in the eternal bond of friendship, ‘our relations with Iran have always been very strong.’ “We are looking forward to the visit of Iranian President and hopefully our relations will further improve”, he said. Former speaker of Pakistan national assembly praised the success of Islamic Revolution. The politician expressing his views said Iran and Pakistan are actually two twin brothers having same history and culture. “Our national anthem is in Persian language that is the closeness we have,” he added. Gohar Ayub Khan opined being close neighbors Iran and Pakistan should further enhance their cooperation in trade sector. He said that future of Iran and Pakistan lies in people to people contact of the two nations. Former foreign minister that Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline is highly significant for Pakistan to overcome sits energy crisis. “The project hopefully will bring us together,” viewed the political leader. He said that railway system of Pakistan should also be extended right into Iran so that ‘our commutation can improve with Europe through Iran.’ Replying to a question about the peaceful nuclear program of Iran former speaker of National Assembly said every country has the right to pursue its own policy. “We are developing our nuclear energy because we are short of electricity and nuclear energy is the energy for the future, Iran is doing the same”, he said. Former minister regretted that Iran is under pressure over its peaceful nuclear program ‘but hopefully they will come out of this difficulty.’ The politician went on to say Pakistan has also been through same difficulties however the pressure on Iran’s nuclear program is not justified. “We are neighbors of Iran and will stand by Iran in case of any misadventure against our brotherly neighbor,” said Gohar Ayub Khan. “Let us hope sanity in Israel and no such misadventure takes place which disturbs the area and disturbs the peace in the region”, he said./end