ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized on early completion and operationalization of border sustenance markets for economic uplift of people living on both sides of the Pak-Iran border.
According to a statement issued by the PM’s office, the Prime Minister on Monday had a meeting with Iran’s Interior Minister Dr Ahmad Vahidi, who came to Pakistan on a day-long visit.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in brotherly relations between the two countries and highlighted the vast potential that exists for enhanced collaboration in diverse fields.
PM Imran Khan particularly emphasised the importance of close bilateral collaboration to boost trade and regional connectivity, and also stressed the early completion and operationalisation of the border sustenance markets and the economic uplift of the people living on both sides of the border.
Underscoring that the Pakistan-Iran border was a border of peace and friendship, the PM said the joint cooperation was vital to addressing security issues.
The premier then thanked the Iranian government and the country’s supreme leader for their steadfast support for the just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The PM also expressed satisfaction over the convergence of views regarding a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and underscored the importance of close coordination between the two countries.
The premier also stressed the need for urgent actions by the international community to prevent humanitarian crisis and economic meltdown in Afghanistan and measures to enhance practical engagement, strengthen stability, and counter-terrorism.
The prime minister reiterated his invitation to President Raisi to visit Pakistan at an early date. Dr Vahidi conveyed cordial greetings of the Iranian leadership to the premier and reaffirmed Iran’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations in all aspects.
Earlier in the day, Dr Vahidi, upon arriving in Islamabad with his nine-member delegation, was received by his Pakistani counterpart Sheikh Rasheed at the Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi.
During a meeting, Pakistan and Iran agreed to form joint working groups to strengthen bilateral relations. The two sides also agreed to set up markets on the Pakistan-Iran borders and increase the number of border terminals to boost trade.
The two ministers also shared views on completing the fencing work on the Pak-Iran border as soon as possible, while both leaders agreed that the territories of Pakistan and Iran should not be used for terrorist activities against each other.
The meeting also discussed the regional security situation, the looming humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, and other important issues. It also discussed prisoner exchanges and facilitating zaaireen (pilgrims) from Pakistan to Iran. Ways to prevent illegal human immigration and drug trafficking were also discussed during the meeting.
