TEHRAN: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Tuesday called on Iranian President
Ayatollah Seyyed Ibrahim Ra’isi and vowed to strengthening Tehran-Islamabad relations to help promote economic prosperity and security in the region.
“I consider myself as an Iranian,” Bilawal was quoted by Iranian state agency, IRNA, as telling the Iranian President.
“We are ready to enhance comprehensive cooperation with Pakistan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran has the necessary capacity to meet Pakistan’s needs in various fields, including oil, gas and electricity,” Raisi said.
Referring to the deep ties between the two nations, Rai’si said these ties are rooted in centuries of cordial and religious ties. He said that the people of Iran and Pakistan are not only neighbors but also relatives.
He added, “Most foreign pilgrims to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) are Pakistanis and their love for the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) is famous and this is one of the areas of proximity between the two nations”.
“We consider Pakistan’s security to be our own security,” he said.
Emphasizing that there are no restrictions in the Islamic Republic of Iran for the development of relations with Islamabad, Raisi added: “We are ready to promote comprehensive cooperation with Pakistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran has the necessary capacity to meet Pakistan’s needs in various fields, including oil, gas and electricity.
Ayatollah Ra’isi called the fields of energy, transit cooperation and coordination in regional issues and crises as important aspects of the relations between the two countries and stressed: “negotiations on these issues should become decisions and documents of cooperation.”
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed satisfaction with the visit to Iran, adding: “As much as I am a Pakistani, I am also an Iranian.”
While expressing his gratitude for Iranian electricity exports to Pakistan, the Foreign Minister added: “We are fully prepared to complete and conclude the previous negotiations in the fields of security, trade and energy.”
Zardari also pointed to the depth of Pakistanis ‘devotion to Imam Reza (as) and emphasized on his country’s plan to facilitate the pilgrims’ journey to Mashhad.
The Foreign Minister also praised the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its assistance in extinguishing the widespread fires in the forests of Balochistan Province, Pakistan.
