ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields and to continue close consultation on matters of common interest.
This came during a meeting between Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran Dr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Islamabad on Thursday, Radio Pakistan reported.
A wide range of topics was discussed during the meeting, including bilateral trade, overall relations, regional dynamics, and key international developments.
The Acting President underscored the importance of further strengthening political dialogue, enhancing economic connectivity, and promoting people-to-people exchanges.
He highlighted the value of regular engagement between parliamentary committees and friendship groups in advancing cooperation on issues such as border management, counter-narcotics efforts, and facilitation for pilgrims.
Parliamentary interaction, he noted, serves as a vital platform for building mutual understanding and fostering collaboration for the benefit of both nations.
He also emphasised the need for deeper cooperation in education, culture, and youth engagement through expanded academic, medical, and exchange programmes.
In his remarks, Dr Ghalibaf said Iran is keen to expand parliamentary and economic ties with Pakistan.
He added that a parliamentary delegation from Iran would attend the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Pakistan.
In October, Pakistan and Iran agreed to establish a joint committee to address border trade and logistics challenges between the two nations.
The two countries share a 900-kilometer porous border, which they aim to develop as a channel for enhancing transport and energy cooperation, as part of wider efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration.
Islamabad and Tehran have also voiced their desire in recent months to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion.
