KARACHI: The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam on Monday said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and the rich oil and gas reserves in Iran can

be helpful for the both brotherly countries to strengthen their trade and investment ties.

However, he strongly condemned the Israeli aggression on Palestine, and expressed his country’s resolve to continue its support to the people of Palestine.

Addressing an interactive session titled: ‘Pakistan Iran relations: Present & Future’ here he said that Iran has enacted a special provision into its constitution right after the ‘Islamic Revolution’ to support Palestine and the country observes ‘Yaum-ul-Quds’ on the last Friday of the holy Ramadan, each year, for the freedom of the oppressed Palestinians.

The event was hosted by Pakistan Council on Foreign Relations (PCFR).

“Iran is supporting Palestine to the best of its capacity, but never interferes in its internal affairs,” the ambassador said.

On the prospects of Pak-Iran cooperation, he said that CPEC project in Pakistan is next to the border of Iran; while on the other hand, Iran has rich oil and gas reserves. The close distance between Karachi and Gwadar Port and Port of Chabahar in Iran are strategically and economically important. The both countries can enhance their cooperation and benefit from these opportunities.

Iran and Pakistan enjoy common interests, and suffer from common threats. Our common threats are security and terrorism. However, actions taken recently in this regard are good and we need to do more. There are many common interests in the areas of economy, trade, transportation. The opening of the boarder market shows determination of the two countries towards the enhancement of bilateral ties in all areas including commercial and economic fronts.

He stressed upon the need of active role of research centres to identify common problems, and suggest initiatives to better improve the political

economic and security issues.

The current cooperation between the research centres of the two countries is in a very good condition. These research centres have regular meetings. MOU between IPIS and IRS will be finalised in the near future, he said.

Iran and Pakistan are two countries with a lot of cultural, historical, religious, language and civilization links. With more than 900km common border, we live together in peace during the history.

Responding to a query regarding China’s role to bring Iran and Saudi Arab closer to each other, he said Iran wants to maintain good relations with the Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia. A couple of incidents had created rifts between us. However, he thanked Pakistan and China for their positive role to resolve the issue with Saudi Arabia.

PCFR’s General Secretary Ahsan Mukhtar Zubairi, Iran’s CG to Karachi Hassan Nourian, former Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmad, Business leader Zubair F. Tufail, Ambassador Hasan Habib, and others were also present.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023