Islamabad, Tehran discuss boosting ties
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Railways Shaikh Rashid Ahmed held a meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Leader of Iran, on international affairs in Tehran on Friday.
Boosting ties including bilateral cooperation, enhancing economic activity through rail connectivity, border security and regional stability were discussed in the meeting, according to a press release by the Embassy of Pakistan.
Ahmed also handed over a letter from President of Pakistan Arif Alvi for the Leader of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Velayati recalled the warm welcome given by the people of Pakistan to the Leader of Iran when he visited Pakistan in 1986 as the Iranian president.
He said that Pakistan is a very important neighbor and Iran is committed to promoting friendly relations with Pakistan.
He added that we should not allow any third country to damage our brotherly relations.
On Thursday, Pakistani state minister for parliamentary affairs informed the Senate that Pakistan was very keen to enhance trade with Iran.
The minister said that the transactions between Iran and Pakistan took place via the United Arab Emirates and there was no direct transaction system between the two countries.
He said the Pakistani government was attempting to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.
Pakistan’s exports to Iran from April to December, 2018 amounted $319 million, whereas exports for the same period in 2017 was $209 million, the minister said.