Pakistan, Iran to boost cooperation in multiple areas

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua on Friday said Pakistan attaches great importance to ties with Iran and is committed to overcoming all irritants for its improvement.

He was talking to the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Honardoost, who called on him on Friday here and discussed matters pertaining to enhancement of bilateral relations and issues of security and border management.

The adviser stressed that this was a time for the two countries to come closer instead of drifting away from each other. Both sides agreed to boost the level of cooperation bilateral relations.

The ambassador raised an issue Iran is facing about interaction between banking sectors of the two countries which is a huge obstacle in path of enhancing volume of bilateral trade. The National Security adviser ensured the ambassador that authorities concerned would be sensitised to take adequate measures to facilitate trade with Iran through better banking interactions. The two sides also agreed to improve border management through better coordination and cooperation. 

Japanese ambassador Takashi Kurai also called on National Security adviser and discussed matters pertaining to improvement of bilateral relations and regional security. Talking to the envoy, Lt-Gen Nasser Janjua (retd) said Pakistan regards Japan as a close friend and a reliable economic partner.

The two sides expressed support for constructive efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He also apprised the ambassador about Pakistan’s efforts to forge cooperative relations with all its neighbours on basis of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

The adviser reiterated that Pakistan has always supported all peace endeavours towards India and Afghanistan.  Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Thomas Drew called on National Security adviser and discussed prevailing security situation in the region with special reference to security in Afghanistan and status of Pakistan-India ties.

Talking to the high commissioner, the adviser said Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan and ready to support all efforts towards this end. Both sides condemned and expressed condolence on recent bomb attack in Kabul.