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ISLAMABAD (Tuesday, 23 April 2019) – The Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Imran Khan after completing his two days successful official visit to Iran has returned to Pakistan yesterday.

The PM Pakistan’s high profile delegation members were Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Zafarullah Mirza and Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Baber. As per sources senior military officials of Pakistan were also present in the meetings.

The purpose of the PM’s visit to Iran was to hold talks with Iranian leadership on bilateral and regional issues.

During the visit Pakistan and Iran have emphasized the importance of deepening and reinforcing bilateral ties based on principles of national interest, territorial integrity and mutual respect for national sovereignty.

Both the countries agreed for swift implementation of bilateral agreements as a step towards realizing this important goal.

Both sides acknowledged the necessity of forging regular cooperation and exchange of views between political, military and security officials of the two countries to combat threats such as terrorism, smuggling of narcotics, human trafficking, hostage-taking, money-laundering and abduction.

It was also agreed that the 10th Round of the Special Security Committee of the two Ministries of Interior will be held in Islamabad in June this year to discuss these matters in detail. Pakistani side welcomed the initiation of the process for release of a number of Pakistani prisoners by the Government of Iran, and for making arrangements for their expeditious repatriation.

Both sides agreed to hold the 2nd Round of High Border Commission in Islamabad next month to review the measures required for the earliest opening of new crossing points at Gabd-Reemdan and Mand-Pishin, besides opening of new border markets.

Iran also offered the export of electricity to Pakistan.

In a meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Imran Khan at Tehran both the countries reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in the entire region and an agreement was principally reached upon to set up a Joint Rapid Reaction Force to guard the common borders.

Later addressing a joint news conference, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the two countries have decided to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism to ensure that no country’s land is used against each other.

Referring to the recent terrorist incident in Balochistan, which claimed lives of fourteen security personnel, the Prime Minister said incidents of terrorism affect relations between the two countries.

He said the entire political leadership in Pakistan has pledged that no militant group will be allowed to operate from Pakistan and the soil of Pakistan will not be permitted to be used against any other country.

The Prime Minister said the two sides also decided to cooperate for helping in peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict.

Referring to the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, the Prime Minister said there is no military solution to the lingering dispute but it can only be resolved through political settlement.

Imran Khan said the settlement of the dispute will help take forward the entire subcontinent and improve economic and trade linkages in the region.

Addressing the news conference, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani said unfortunately we witnessed some tensions in the border areas in the recent past where the terrorists perpetrated their nefarious acts.

The Iranian President said we also emphasized that no third country can harm the brotherly and close relations between the two countries.

Hassan Rouhani said both the countries have also agreed to bolster their trade and economic relations and we have agreed to set up a barter committee so that goods and other items could be exchanged.

The Iranian President said we are also interested in establishing links between Gwadar and Chahbhar ports in order to strengthen our commerce relations.

He said his country is ready to meet the oil and gas requirements of Pakistan. He said we have already taken the measures to construct the gas pipeline to Pakistani border.

Hassan Rouhani said Iran is also ready to increase the exports of electricity to Pakistan.

Iran’s supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei conveys deep regard and attachment with brotherly people of Pakistan

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan met Supreme Leader of Iran Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

During the meeting, they discussed the ways to improve bilateral relations.

The Supreme leader of Iran conveyed his deep regard and attachment with the brotherly people of Pakistan and prayed for the success of the Pakistani nation.

The Prime Minister also visited the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, laid a wreath and offered Fateha.

PM Imran Khan addresses to Pakistan-Iran Business Community

Imran Khan during his visit to Iran also addressed “Pakistan-Iran Business Community” in Tehran where he said countries with strong economies have a very high proportion of bilateral trade with regional countries giving example of ASEAN countries and China which enjoy a very high level of trade with neighbours.

The PM regretted that Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan are very close neighbours but have very low trade volume with each other. He said Iran with 80 million people and Pakistan with 210 million people are large economies and have a huge trade potential.

Imran Khan expressed the wish that Pakistan and Iran should start developing their bilateral trade on immediate basis. He said only 10 per cent rice coming from Pakistan to Iran comes directly.

During his stay in Mashhad, the Prime Minister along his delegation visited the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), and offered Dua and Nawafil.