Gilani calls for further strengthening political dialogue with Iran

ISLAMABAD: Acting President Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani emphasized the need to further strengthen political dialogue, economic connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Iran on Thursday.

Acting President Gilani met Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, Dr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and members of his delegation who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The meeting was followed by a luncheon in their honour.

He said that parliamentary engagement provides an important channel to enhance understanding and promote cooperation for the mutual benefit of the peoples of both countries.

Gilani emphasised the importance of further strengthening political dialogue, economic linkages, and people-to-people contacts. He highlighted the role of regular interactions between parliamentary committees and friendship groups in promoting cooperation on issues such as border management, counter-narcotics efforts, and facilitation for pilgrims.

He said Pakistan wishes to significantly enhance bilateral trade with Iran, as agreed during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian held in August 2025.

The acting president also called for greater collaboration between the two countries in the fields of education, culture, and youth engagement through academic and medical cooperation as well as exchange programmes.

A wide range of subjects—including bilateral trade, overall relations, the regional situation, and international developments—were discussed during the meeting. Dr Ghalibaf thanked Gilani for the warm welcome and said Iran regarded Pakistan as a brotherly country and a trusted neighbour.

He echoed the sentiments expressed by the Iranian President during his address to the Iranian Parliament regarding the resolution of solidarity with Iran passed by Pakistan’s Senate.

Dr Ghalibaf said Iran is keen to expand parliamentary and economic ties with Pakistan and added that a parliamentary delegation from Iran would attend the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Pakistan.