ISLAMABAD: The interior ministers of Pakistan and Iran, on Wednesday, vowed to work together for regional peace and stability besides agreeing to cooperate with each on the issues of security and border management.Iran’s Interior Minister Mustafa Muhammad Najjar called on his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik at interior ministry. During the meeting the two sides reiterated not to allow their soils to be used against each other.
Addressing a joint press conference, after the meeting, Rehman Malik said that they had discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to cooperate with each for border management. “Both Pakistan and Iran want peace in the region and have decided to work together,” he said.“Iran would donate $100 million to assist flood-affected people of Pakistan. A plane from Iran carrying aid consignment will arrive in Pakistan on Thursday,” he said.
Rehman said that Pakistan was thankful to Iran for assisting its flood victims. He said Pakistan and Iran had same religion and culture and shared common values. “Our friendship with Iran is deep-rooted and it will continue for ever,” he said.He said that the two sides also discussed current challenges confronted by Muslim ummah and agreed to work together to resolve those. “Besides matters of mutual interest, including enhancing trade volume between the two countries also came under discussion in the meeting,” he said.
Mustafa Najjar said that he had come to Pakistan on the invitation of Rehman Malik and was thankful to him for that. He said visits of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to Iran were a turning point for bolstering relations between the two countries.He said, “Iran would assist Pakistan in power and gas sectors. The two countries would also cooperate with each other on the issues of smuggling and money laundering and soon sign an agreement for that purpose.”
In another meeting, talking to Interior Minister of Iran Mustafa Muhammad Najjar at the presidency, the President Asif Ali Zardari said the two countries needed to further deepen cooperation in all areas particularly trade, energy, security, communication and infrastructure. The president also said that promotion of intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity was a key to the socio-economic development. He stressed that Iran has a major role to play along with Pakistan due to their geo-strategic locations. – Dailytimes
