TEHRAN - Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Fahmida Mirza has met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani.

In a meeting with the Pakistani parliament speaker in Tehran on Thursday, Ahmadinejad said that the enemies are seeking to destabilize Pakistan in order to undermine the security of the entire region.
The Iranian president called for the expansion of ties between Tehran and Islamabad, saying it is necessary to foil the enemies’ plots.
The current situation in the region, more than at any other time, necessitates collective efforts and bilateral decision-making for solving regional problems, he stated.
He underlined the need for adopting a comprehensive political approach in the campaign against terrorism, saying extremism undermines regional interests and collective efforts are necessary to combat it.
The Iranian president also said that all obstacles to trade and economic cooperation between the two countries should be eliminated.
The Pakistani parliament speaker said that Iran-Pakistan relations are rooted in their shared history and culture and added that Pakistan believes the expansion of relations with Iran is a necessity.
Ms. Mirza also expressed support for Iran’s nuclear program and said Iran should maintain the pace of its progress in all areas.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani parliament speaker held talks with Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani.
During the meeting, the Iranian parliament speaker noted that Iran and Pakistan have many historical, cultural, and religious affinities and said this provides a foundation for efforts to strengthen economic and political ties between the two countries.
Larijani also criticized the foreign military presence in the region.
The surge in military forces in the region, which has been carried out under the pretext of fighting terrorism, has complicated regional affairs and is hindering growth and development in the region, he observed.
The Iranian parliament speaker also asked Pakistan to make every effort to help obtain the release of Iranian diplomat Heshmatollah Attarzadeh, who was kidnapped in Peshawar in February 2008.
The Pakistani parliament speaker said the Pakistani government and parliament are making efforts to increase cooperation with Iran in all areas, especially in the security and energy sectors.
Commenting on Iran’s nuclear program, she said that the dispute should be resolved through diplomatic channels.
Ms. Mirza also invited her Iranian counterpart to visit Islamabad.