Pakistan, Iran sign 8 agreements & MoUs for cooperation
- In Reports
- 02:41 PM, Apr 23, 2024
- Myind Staff
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, during his three-day visit to Islamabad, emphasised the commitment of both Iran and Pakistan to bolster their bilateral relations across various sectors, including politics, economics, trade, and culture. This commitment was demonstrated through the signing of eight agreements and memorandums of understanding. Accompanied by his spouse and a delegation comprising cabinet members and business figures, Raisi received a guard of honor upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House and held discussions with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This visit aims to mend ties between the two neighbouring Muslim nations following recent tensions that led to military actions.
The signed agreements and memorandums of understanding encompass a wide array of sectors such as trade, science, technology, agriculture, health, culture, and judicial matters. These include agreements on establishing the Rimdan-Gabd Joint Free/Special Zone, cooperation between the Ministry of Cooperative Labour and Social Welfare of Iran and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and Human Resources Development of Pakistan, judicial assistance and legal cooperation at the ministry levels, cooperation for animal hygiene and health, mutual recognition in the field of quarantine and phytosanitary measures, and the promotion of culture and films.
Additionally, the signing ceremony also marked the ratification of a security cooperation agreement between the governments of the two countries. "At our meeting with the Prime Minister and other cabinet members, we have agreed to enhance bilateral relations between our two countries across political, economic, trade, cultural, and other dimensions to the fullest extent possible," stated President Raisi during a joint press briefing with Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif.
Raisi emphasised the shared commitment of both nations to combatting terrorism, organized crime, narcotics, and various forms of insecurity, not only for the benefit of themselves but also for the wider region.
"We share common ground in our fight against terrorism," he added, highlighting the extensive common border between Iran and Pakistan as an opportunity to foster welfare for the people residing in border areas and regions. "The current economic and trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is insufficient, and we have agreed to take the initial step towards increasing it to $10 billion," President Raisi emphasised during the press conference.
Prime Minister Sharif echoed the sentiment, emphasising the need for collective efforts to bolster bilateral relations, envisioning their shared border as a beacon of development and prosperity. "Today marks an opportunity to elevate our friendship into a driving force for progress and prosperity. The decisions made today regarding economic advancement and connectivity will yield tangible outcomes," the Prime Minister asserted.
Sharif also praised Iran's unwavering stance against Israeli actions in Gaza, where significant casualties have occurred due to Israeli air and ground offensives. He urged Iran and Pakistan to join hands at international platforms such as the OIC, along with other Islamic nations, to advocate for a complete ceasefire.
The Iranian president, in a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, at the Presidency in Islamabad, reaffirmed the deep commitment to the enduring Pakistan-Iran relations. "The leaders stressed the importance of further deepening and broadening bilateral relations across various sectors, while also stressing the need for increased high-level dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation," stated the Pakistan presidency in a released statement.
During a separate meeting with Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, both sides concurred on the imperative of enhancing bilateral cooperation to foster regional stability and economic prosperity, as per the Pakistani military. Discussions primarily centered on mutual interests, particularly regional peace, stability, and border security.
"The COAS described the Pak-Iran border as 'the border of peace and friendship,' underlining the necessity for enhanced coordination along the border to prevent terrorists from undermining the longstanding fraternal relations between the two neighbouring countries," highlighted the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, in a statement.
“President Ebrahim Raisi emphasised that by fostering cooperation between the two Armed Forces, Pakistan and Iran can attain peace and stability for both nations and the region.”
Raisi also met Yusuf Raza Gillani, chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. During his visit from April 22-24, the Iranian head of state is slated to meet with the Pakistani president, Senate chairman, and National Assembly speaker. Additionally, he plans to visit the cities of Karachi and Lahore to engage with the provincial leadership.
Raisi's visit marks the first by any head of state to Pakistan following the country's contentious elections in February 2024 and the subsequent formation of a new government led by Sharif. The timing of the visit coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East following Iran's recent airstrikes on Israel, which prompted retaliatory actions from Israel.
Despite several commercial agreements, Pakistan and Iran have historically experienced strained relations, with Islamabad traditionally maintaining closer ties with Saudi Arabia and the United States. Among their notable agreements is a stalled gas supply deal signed in 2010, aiming to construct a pipeline from Iran's South Fars gas field to Pakistan's southern provinces of Balochistan and Sindh.
Image Source: Business Recorder
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