Pak PM advisor: Iran pres. visit to focus mainly on economic, trade ties

In an exclusive interview with IRNA Sartaj Aziz said the visit of President Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan is taking place at an important juncture, when international economic and financial sanctions against Iran have been lifted.
President Rouhani will lead high economic and political delegation to Islamabad later the week on Friday and Saturday. A big trade delegation including dozens of Iranian traders from private sector will accompany President Rouhani to Pakistan.
Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan took subsequent step to pave way for interaction with Iran as sanctions on Iran had caused set back to bilateral economic relations. “The bilateral trade went down drastically primarily, owing to the sanctions. Implementation of energy projects were also adversely impacted,” he added.
He said in view of the latest development, both sides would be focusing on adding economic content to the relationship particularly, raising bilateral trade to US $ 5 billion, as undertook by the two leaders during the Prime Minister’s visit to Iran in May 2014.
Sartaj Aziz said that economic and investment cooperation would be high on the agenda of the talks during Iranian President’s Pakistan visit.
“We would discuss stalled energy projects, connectivity, investment, cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science and technology and people to people contact. Regional and international issues of mutual interest would also be discussed,” he said.
The official expressing his views said Pakistan maintains that enhanced and strengthened unity, solidarity and fraternity are essential for the progress, stability and development of the Muslim World.
He said today, the Ummah is faced with a multitude of challenges, which will be discussed during President Rouhani’s visit. “It remains Pakistan’s endeavour to take necessary steps and initiatives to effectively address the challenges being faced by the Muslim Ummah and promote unity and cohesion among the Muslim fraternity,” he said.
The adviser expressing his views said relations between Pakistan and Iran are cordial and tied by the bonds of neighbourhood, history and common faith. “Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan was the first country to recognize the Iranian Government after the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran,” he said.
Sartaj Aziz said regular high-level exchanges are the hallmark of the excellent relations that provide necessary direction to the relations. “Both countries desire to strengthen relations, which is manifested in the Prime Minister visit to Iran in May 2014 and now the Iranian President’s return visit to Pakistan,” he said.
He added all regional and international issues of mutual interest will be discussed during the visit. “The high level visit will afford a good opportunity to discuss all issues of common concern and mutual interest,” he said.
He said Pakistan Prime Minister’s vision of peaceful neighbourhood, connectivity, regional integration and prosperity provides the roadmap for developing mutually beneficial bilateral relationship between Iran and Pakistan. “We are confident that brotherly ties between the two countries will continue to flourish,” he said.
He said every high level delegation's visit provides an opportunity to review the past MoUs. “In case with Iran many MoUs could not be implemented because of sanctions but now the sanctions have been lifted so we should move our internal procedures to speed up the implementation of the MoUs signed in the past,” he said.
Condemning the terrorist attacks in Brussels he said, ‘We are deeply saddened to learn about the bomb explosions in Brussels which have caused loss of precious lives and injured scores of people. Pakistan sympathizes and offers its condolences to the bereaved families and the Belgian Government and prays for the speedy recovery of those injured in the terrorist attack.’
“Pakistan condemns this terrorist act in the strongest terms and expresses solidarity with the Government and the people of Belgium. Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestation,” he said.
The official went on to say that Pakistan has acquired very rich experience in countering terrorism activities and is ready to share this experience with other countries.
“There is no justification of terrorism but one thing which is very important is paying attention to the underline causes so if you neglect injustices then people react through violence,” he noted.
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