TEHRAN – In a diplomatic exchange in Islamabad, Pakistan's Prime Minister has emphasized the pivotal nature of the bilateral relations with Iran, particularly focusing on economic and trade cooperation.

Reza Amiri Moghaddam, Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, met with Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's Prime Minister on Tuesday, to discuss avenues of collaboration between the two nations. 

Amiri Moghaddam extended his felicitations to Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan's recent parliamentary elections and his assumption of office as the country's new Prime Minister. The meeting revolved around the upcoming visit of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan, emphasizing the shared commitment to ensuring the success of this significant diplomatic event.

In return, Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his congratulations to Iran on the successful conduct of recent elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts. He reaffirmed Pakistan's dedication to hosting Raisi and expressed readiness to facilitate the visit promptly.

Both officials underscored the importance of fortifying ties between their neighboring nations, emphasizing the imperative to bolster economic and trade relations, including the expansion of cross-border trade.

Highlighting their mutual solidarity, both parties commended the unwavering support of Iran and Pakistan for Palestine and their joint efforts in addressing the situation in Gaza. They jointly stressed the urgent need to halt the ongoing atrocities committed by the Zionist regime and swiftly establish a ceasefire.

In an official statement from the Public Relations Office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for the congratulatory messages received from Raisi upon his appointment as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the historical and genuine ties between Iran and Pakistan.

The statement also referenced the Pakistani Prime Minister's previous engagements with the President of Iran, including their joint inauguration of the border market and power transmission line last summer, as well as their encounter during the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in 2022 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the significance of collaboration between the two nations in enhancing trade, energy cooperation, infrastructure development including road and rail connectivity, cultural exchanges, counter-terrorism efforts, and security cooperation. He further acknowledged Iran's steadfast support for the Muslim community in Kashmir.

In January, the two neighboring countries witnessed an escalation of cross-border tensions, after Iran targeted two main bases of the so-called Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan and the latter responded by striking Iranian positions near the border. Islamabad said it had struck the residence of Pakistani separatists while Tehran confirmed that no Iranian national was killed during the attack.

Despite these challenges, both nations have demonstrated a commitment to de-escalation, fostering a renewed spirit of cooperation.