Need to expand Pak-Iran ties stressed

LAHORE:Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and Consul General of Islamic Republic of Iran Mehran Movahed Far have stressed the need to expand trade relations between the two countries.

Mehran Movahed Far called on the governor at Governor House here on Wednesday. In the meeting, the strengthening of relations between Pakistan and Iran in the fields of education, culture and trade was discussed. The governor offered condolence over the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas, during the meeting.

The Iranian Consul General congratulated the governor on assuming office. During the meeting, the Iranian Consul General informed him about the ease of travel facilities for Pakistani pilgrims under the new policy of travelling by road. He also thanked the Pakistani nation for their help and unwavering support for the suffering Palestinian Muslims. Speaking on the occasion, Governor said Pakistan and Iran are bound together by religion, culture and historical ties. He said that Iran is a brotherly Islamic country and Pakistanis have strong bond of love and respect with Irani people.

He said that the last visit of late President Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan was a historic and memorable visit. He paid tributes to the late Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi for his role in strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations. He said that the late President Ebrahim Raisi during his last visit to Pakistan laid the foundation for new projects by signing various memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and Iran in various fields. He said that the Pakistani government and people were shocked and saddened by the martyrdom of late President Ebrahim Raisi. On this occasion, the governor assured Iranian Consul General of considering steps to promote Persian language as chancellor of public and private varsities in Punjab. Consul General Mehran Movahed said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is trying to facilitate Pakistan pilgrims in their travel to sacred places in Iran. He said that there is a need to expand trade relations between Pakistan and Iran. He said that work is being done on the exchange of delegations of students and teachers between Pakistan and Iran. He also informed about the difficulties faced by the Iranian students in obtaining study visa for admission to educational institutions in Pakistan.

The Iranian official reiterated that Iran attaches special importance to relations with Pakistan. "We want peace, and prosperity for the people of Pakistan," he added. He said that roads in major cities in Iran are named after respected Pakistani personalities. He added that a huge highway in Tehran is named after Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah along with the statue of Allama Iqbal erected in Mashhad. He invited the governor to visit Iran.

Apart from that, Governor Sardar Saleem expressed deep sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. He strongly condemned the attack. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ismail Haniyeh and the Palestinians.