Iran welcomes Saudi aid, MBS visit to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Iran has welcomed the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) to Pakistan and fiscal assistance being provided by Saudi Kingdom to Pakistan.

Ambassador Iran Mehdi Honardoost has said that not only Saudi Arabia but any of Arab countries support for Pakistan would be hailed by Iran evidently. “We appreciate Saudi Arabia’s cooperation and help for Pakistan hundred percent.” The ambassador was talking to a group of newspersons at the reception that he hosted to commemorate 40th anniversary of glorious victory of Iran revolution and its National Day here in a local hotel on Monday evening.

To a query he said that Iran doesn’t feel uncomfortable about the close ties between Pakistan and Arab world since Iran has close brotherly relationship with Pakistan that is for the interest of the two people.

Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost reminded that Iran is for unity of the Muslim world. The enemies of Muslim unity are busy to create wedge between different Muslim countries. “We are supposed to foil all such attempts and intrigues,” he vowed. The Iranian ambassador assured that as soon the sanctions against his country are vanished, the cooperation between Pakistan and Iran would go to unbelievable new heights.

In his address Ambassador Honardoost said, “We are celebrating 40th anniversary of Iran’s revolution with optimum hope and glory. With the passage of time, revolution discloses more of its importance, magnitude and influence for the people of the world.”

The ambassador reminded that friendly and brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Iran has passed its 70 years. “The nations of two Islamic countries have proved during these seven decades that their affection to each other is beyond the political decisions and situations and hopefully will even remain with each other for any time in future.”

As a very clear sign of these friendship, let me tell you that the friendship group of Iran in Parliament of Pakistan is one ofthe biggest one with more than 120 members of Parliament, he said. Iranian envoy said that the cultural centre of Pakistan has just opened in the capital city of Tehran that shows the mutual respect and friendship of Iranians towards their fellow Pakistanis. “It is clear that a lot of efforts should be done to realise big successes in bilateral relations. These big steps can be taken by big people; the ambassador said who spoke in English and Urdu both. Federal Minister Dr Fehmida Mirza was the chief guest who said in her speech that the PTI government attaches significance to Pakistan ties with Iran.

Russian Ambassador Alexey Y. Dedov while talking to The News said that his country has been using its good offices to ensure peace and tranquility in Afghanistan. The meetings taken place in Moscow so far for peace in Afghanistan have proved useful, he said.

To a question about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan would be viewed as its victory or defeat, Russian envoy smiled and said that it depends on the Americans that how do they project it.

Qatar Ambassador Saqr bin Mubarak Al-Mansouri revealed that out of one hundred thousand workers about twenty five thousand have already gone to Qatar during Nawaz Sharif government while the rest would be reaching gradually. To a query he said that number of the workers being sent to Qatar could be enhanced through mutual consultations and in accordance to the needs in Qatar. The ambassador said Pakistani workers are doing remarkable job in his country. The guests in reception mostly kept discussing the visit of Saudi Crown Prince and arrival of Chief of Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition (IMCTC) retired General Raheel Sharif in the town ahead of the visit. The reception was attended by large number of the guests including Shia clerks and dignitaries of the twin-cities. Mayor Islamabad Ansar Aziz Sheikh, retired Army Chief General Mirza Aslam Baig, Additional Foreign Secretary Muhammad Aejaz, former National Security Advisor (NSA) General Nasser Khan Janjua, former federal minister Wajid Bukhari, State Minister Engineer Ali Muhammad, Senator Rehman Malik were conspicuous with their presence.