Pakistani PM returns from 3-day Iran’s visit

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani returned to Islamabad late Tuesday night after a three-day state visit from Iran, where he held talks with Iranian leadership to further strengthen the bilateral ties and cooperation in diverse fields. The Prime Minister held talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and exchanged views to give fresh impetus to their existing bilateral cooperation in various fields ranging from trade and economy to security and intelligence sharing. President Ahmadinejad and Prime Minister Gilani said that the Gas Pipeline Project and import of 1000 MW electricity from Iran should be expedited to resolve Pakistan’s energy shortage which is hampering the pace of growth of its economy. The Iranian leader agreed to give serious consideration to Pakistan’s demand for opening a Consulate at Bandar Abbas to facilitate people to people contacts. The Prime Minister also met speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani and both leaders agreed that Pakistan and Iran should exchange more delegations of people from various walks of life to bring the two countries closer. Larijani said Pakistan stood with Iran in critical times and they were shoulder to shoulder with each other and this spirit of friendship would remain evident in their future ties. The Prime Minister also held talks with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi and the leaders emphasized on the immense potential between the two peoples, the realization of which would prove as a game changer in increasing trade to $10 billion. Rahimi later told a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister that they discussed the shared economic interests, common security challenges and extremism and terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime. Prime Minister said that there was a complete unanimity of views on national and international issues between Iran and Pakistan, adding, “Iran is an important neighbour and country.” During his visit, the Prime Minister visited the shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza (AS) and offered prayers. Gilani expressed keen interest in the architectural features of the shrine. Gilani also visited the ancestral shrine of Sh Zahid Gilani, that has been declared a national heritage by the government of Iran. The Governor of Gilan province is supporting conservation of the shrine of Sheikh Zahid Gilani who was a respected religious scholar and respected saint of the region. Prime Minister Gilani said he was pleased to visit the city and said his great ancestors were born there and later went to Iraq for studies, while one settled in Pakistan. The shrine of Sheikh Zahid Gilani is located in the beautiful hills of Lahijan city.