Islamabad, April 25, IRNA — Pakistan says it is committed to work closelywith Iran for the implementation of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal said in his weekly pressbriefing in Islamabad on Thursday that the IP gas pipeline project was alsodiscussed during Prime Minster Imran Khan’s visit to Iran.
“Both sides stressed their commitment and agreed to work closely for theimplementation of the project,” he said.
The official said that Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Iran in line withgovernment’s approach to meaningfully strengthen its relations with allneighboring countries.“Iran is an important Muslim neighbor having centuries old people topeople, religious and cultural affinities with Pakistan,” he said.
The spokesperson added that in Tehran, the Prime Minister held in-depthone-on-one and delegation-level talks with Iranian President HassanRouhani, and was received by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed AliKhamenei.“The visit further strengthened the mutual understanding on importantissues of bilateral, regional and international domains,” said Dr. Faisal.
He added that the two sides exchanged views on issues related toPakistan-Iran border security; facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims andzaireen coming for pilgrimage every year in large numbers to Iran;overcoming hindrances in promotion of bilateral trade and economicactivity; opening of new border crossing points, establishment of newborder market; enhancing cooperation on energy, consular, health, railwayssectors; and promotion of cultural collaboration, tourism andpeople-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
The spokesperson said security issues and concerns of both Iran andPakistan need to be resolved completely through close engagements ofconcerned agencies and both sides are ready to address this subjectcomprehensively.
He added that at the end of the visit, the two sides issued a comprehensiveJoint Statement outlining the outcomes of Prime Minister’s extensive talkswith the Iranian President.