Chief minister Punjab urges stronger economic ties with Iran

06 Jun, 2009

Co-operation in economic and trade sectors, law and order situation in the region as well as matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting between Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan, Mashallah Shakrie and Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here on Friday.
Talking to the Iranian Ambassador, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Iran remained a brotherly neighbour country of Pakistan and both the countries had deep-rooted cultural and historic ties. He said that there was need for practical measures for promoting co-operation in economic sector between the brotherly countries of Pakistan and Iran.
He said that the gas pipeline project between Iran and Pakistan would prove to be a milestone in promoting bilateral ties and economic relations between the two countries. He said that agreements were signed for co-operation in different sectors during his visit to Iran and measures were now being taken to give a practical shape to these agreements and in this connection, Director General LDA had visited Iran with regard to metro train and solid waste management projects.
He said that there was wide scope of investment in different sectors in Punjab including expressways and dairy development. He said that time had come for both the countries to transform their centuries-old historic and cultural relations into economic ties. He assured the Iranian Ambassador that he would spare no effort to further promote bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan.
He said that his recent visit to Iran had been successful and would result in increase of co-operation in different sectors between Pakistan and Iran. He said that Iranian brethren gave him a memorable welcome during his visit and due to their warm sentiments of hospitality, he felt as if he was in his home.
He said that during his recent visit, he was deeply impressed with the progress made in Iran. He said that despite international sanctions, Iran had made rapid progress in every sector of life for which Iran and its leadership deserved rich credit for the commitment and hard work.
Earlier, Iranian Ambassador Mashallah Shakrie said that there were close fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran and the recent visit of Chief Minister Punjab to Iran opened up new avenues of economic co-operation and mutual contact. He said that the visit of Chief Minister to Iran would promote economic co-operation, and investment not only with Khurasan but also with the whole of Iran.

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