Iran aid for Pakistan floods-hit people arrive soon

Iranian Interior Minister, Mostafa Mohammad Najar, would soon visit the floods-hit areas of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province along with relief goods, Iranian Ambassador, Masha’Allah Shakeri, said on Monday. Talking to Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman malik, Najjar said the Iranian Interior Minister would show solidarity with Pakistani brethren in the hours of need during his visit, the Interior Ministry said. Both sides also discussed issues of bilateral interest and the upcoming visit to Pakistan by the Iranian Interior Minister. Rehman Malik said Pakistan has always valued its relations with the brotherly country and these ties would be furthered strengthened with a passage of time. Speaking on the occasion, the Iranian ambassador said that Iran also considered Pakistan a true friendly country and committed to strengthening mutual relations. The Iranian government had announced aid for the Pakistan floods-affected people during the last week visit to Iran by Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani. Iranian Interior Minister had announced in his meeting with Prime Minister Gilani Iran will donate $ 100 million for the rehabilitation of the rain affected people of Sindh. The Interior Minister had told the Prime Minister that he would go to Pakistan along with a planeload of relief goods for the rain affected people of Pakistan. The Prime Minister had thanked the government and people of Iran for their generous assistance and for feeling suffering of the people of Pakistan. He said the prompt and generous assistance for the people of Pakistan is manifestation of sentiments of the government and people of Iran. The Prime Minister had also stated that during the visit of the Interior Minister of Iran he would ask Pakistan’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Finance to hold meetings with him on the pending Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with a view to make substantive progress on various issues to enhance cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister said talks between Pakistan and Iran will focus on drug trafficking, human trafficking and terrorism. The Prime Minister referred to the recent visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Pakistan and his meetings on wide ranging issues.