Foundation of Iran-Pakistan ties 'very solid': PM adviser

EghtesadOnline: Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Iran and Pakistan relations are moving forward positively and the foundations of bilateral relationship are very solid.

News ID: ۷۳۵۶۸۸

09 August 2016

In an interview with IRNA, pointing to recent visits of Pakistan National Security Advisor Nasser Khan Janjua and Secretary of Foreign Ministry Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhri to Tehran, Sartaj Aziz said, 'Iran and Pakistan have had many interactions at different levels and different commissions, groups and committees have also met so the foundations of our relationship are very solid.'

The official added, 'Now we have to build economic content in this relation which means we have to expand our trade.'

He further underlined the need for broadening of economic ties between Iran and Pakistan and said that both friendly countries have to expand bilateral trade ties.

He went on to describe Iran President Hassan Rouhani’s recent visit to Pakistan as ‘very successful’ and said that during the visit, central banks of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to open banking channels.

“Now we are implementing it and once the banking channel is operational the trade will expand.”

“Some work is going on the IP pipeline and discussion on import of electricity,” he noted.

Aziz expressing his views said, 'There is good interaction between Iran and Pakistan on regional issues and I hope as we make further progress, we will have better consensus on different issues.'

“The Islamic world is facing many crises today and there is a need to bring unity in the Muslim Ummah,” he stressed.

The official said Pakistan and Iran already have cooperation on counter terrorism but there is a need to expand these contacts between the intelligence agencies and between the border security forces of the two countries.

“As we strengthen our border management system I hope that this will also help in improving the situation,” he said.