President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the Pak-Iran rail link to enhance regional trade, tourism, and people-to-people movement. He said improved rail connectivity would significantly support businesses and facilitate travel, especially for Zaireen, while deepening economic cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The President made these remarks during a meeting with Dr. Ali Ardashir Larijani, Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who called on him in Islamabad.
Zardari highlighted that Pakistan is eager to work closely with Iran to increase bilateral trade and accelerate connectivity projects. Stressing the importance of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, he called for a mutually workable solution that caters to Pakistan’s growing energy requirements. He welcomed the recent technical discussions held in Islamabad and expressed hope for continued negotiations in Tehran.
The President thanked Iran for its solidarity following Pakistan’s recent floods, noting the humanitarian support extended by the Iranian Red Crescent. He said cooperation between neighbouring nations is crucial and serves the shared interests of their people.
He also acknowledged Iran’s steadfast support during Pakistan’s conflict with India and reaffirmed Pakistan’s political and diplomatic backing for Iran in light of Israeli aggression. Zardari praised the Iranian nation for its resilience and commended the leadership of the Supreme Leader.
President Zardari further expressed appreciation for Iran’s consistent support for the people of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and for Palestine.
Welcoming Dr. Larijani, Zardari congratulated him on assuming his new responsibilities and said frequent exchanges between Islamabad and Tehran reflect a positive upward trajectory in bilateral ties. He also fondly recalled his meeting with the Iranian President in August.
Dr. Larijani conveyed greetings from the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. He thanked Pakistan for its moral and diplomatic support during the 12-day war earlier this year and praised the courage and success of Pakistan’s armed forces, saying “Pakistan’s victory is our victory.”
He added that following the Iranian President’s recent visit to Pakistan, several directives had been issued to offer preferential access to Pakistani products in Iran—paving the way toward achieving the bilateral trade target of $10 billion.
