‘Pakistan, Iran can collaborate in academic areas’

LAHORE

Pakistan and Iran can collaborate in numerous academic areas like technology, literature, art and research. Both countries have common literary and cultural heritage. 

Speakers said this at the opening ceremony of three-day international conference held in connection with commemoration of Ferdowsi Tusi organised by Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) on Monday. 

Ferdowsi Chair LCWU Persian Department in collaboration with Cultural Centre of Islamic Republic of Iran organised the conference.

Punjab Governor/Chancellor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana was the chief guest who speaking on the occasion said both Pakistan and Iran were friendly countries and their bilateral relations were based on mutual respect and cooperation as these relations had deep historic and cultural roots. He said Iran was the first country to formally recognise Pakistan as a newly established independent state. Similarly, Iran supported Pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971. Similarly, both the countries have similar passions of supporting each others' security, development and prosperity, he added. 

Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani said both Urdu and Persian were beautiful languages, adding Iranians were the best nation who did not succumb to sanctions. He maintained that Pakistanis should emerge as one united nation to grow and progress in future. He asked the students to give priority to their education to serve to their country in a better way.

The seminar was also addressed by Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan Sherali Jononov, Vice Chancellor LCWU Dr Rukhsana Kausar, Iranian Consul General in Lahore Mohammad Hossein Bani Asadi and others. 

Baloch Culture Day: People and Punjab government have opened the doors of their hearts and educational institutions to the students of Balochistan so that they could benefit from the available educational opportunities and excel in life. We want them to lend a helping hand in national reconstruction and development. 

According to a handout Punjab Higher Educational Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani said this while talking to the media after inspection of difference stalls set up in connection with Baloch Culture Day by the students from Balochistan at Punjab University on Monday.  Raza Gillani said the credit should be given to the Punjab government under the vision of chief minister Shahbaz Sharif for providing free educational opportunities to the students of Balochistan in higher education institutions of the Punjab. This step has been taken to strengthen the spirit of federation as everyone has equal right over the national resources, he added.