Ahead of Iran visit, Pakistani FM vows to enhance economic diplomacy with Tehran

Tehran, IRNA – Foreign Minister of Pakistan, expressing desire to expand bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, vows to strengthen economic diplomacy between the two neighbors. The Pakistani Foreign Minister leading a political and economic delegation left for Iran on Tuesday morning from Islamabad’s Nur Khan Airbase. Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini was also present on the occasion. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during an exclusive interview with IRNA just hours before his official visit to Tehran said facilitating trade and exploiting the true potentials of Iran and Pakistan is important for us. He said the people of Pakistan and the people of Iran have a long historic relationship, sharing religious, cultural, and other bonds, adding that his country, his party, and his family, have a long-standing relationship with the people of Iran and I look forward to improving and enhancing the relationship between the two countries. “I am looking forward to my first bilateral visit to Iran,” added the FM. Replying to a question, he said Iran is a neighbor of Pakistan and in Islam, neighbors have special rights so "I am looking forward to my visit to Iran." He added Pakistan wants to enhance its economic activity with all countries and we are focusing on economic diplomacy as you have mentioned there has been a lot of cooperation in the past with Iran and we look forward to enhancing this cooperation. “We want to enhance progress on border markets and go a long way to facilitate commercial activity on both ends and I am looking forward to having meaningful conversations with my counterparts to unlock the true potential of the economic relationship,” noted Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He said despite our connectivity, shared borders, shared cultures, and shared history, there is a lot more potential for both sides to enhance tourism and I am really hoping that we will be able to discuss these issues, enhance the modes and means of transport between the two countries, and encourage not only obviously religious and spiritual tourism between the two countries but also economic tourism and people-to-people activities. “I think the situation in Afghanistan is on everyone’s mind, particularly those of us who are in the region or in the neighborhood who are directly impacted by the developments in Afghanistan, and I am sure I would have deep meaningful conversations on this topic as well,” said the foreign minister. According to Zardari during his two-day stay in Iran will hold a detailed exchange of views with his Iranian counterpart on all areas of mutual interest. He will also call on the honorable president of Iran and meet other dignitaries. The foreign minister will visit Mashhad on 15 June 2022. Last month Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart discussed bilateral trade, border markets, and the situation in Afghanistan, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish