Farzana discusses BISP with Khorasan governor

During her visit to Iran, Federal Minister and BISP Chairwoman Farzana Raja visited Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi.
While heading a delegation, she met Khorasan Governor General Dr Mahmood Salahi to discuss matters of bilateral interest.
Dr Salahi appreciated the work of the BISP, which is targeted at helping the poor and marginalised segments of the society. He compared the BISP’s work with that of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation in Iran.
He stated that Pakistan and Iran are brotherly countries who share common borders, religion, culture and even language in certain areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Farzana Raja said Iran and Pakistan are like two families that enjoy good economic, cultural, and political relations with each other.
“Considering our geographical proximity, our bilateral trade needs to be extended,” she said.
While emphasising on the need for expedient growth in bilateral trade, Raja said work needed to be done on the pace of growth of bilateral trade as the marginalised people of Pakistan have already waited a lot for the benefits of economic development to trickle down.
Responding to the federal minister’s suggestion, the governor general expressed his willingness to readily start trade with Pakistan.
He said the Khorasan province is ready to import products from Pakistan that will include barley, soya and mutton.
He also suggested that the BISP and IKRF should exchange experts to benefit from each others’ experience of social protection in both the countries.
The minister informed the governor that the BISP is already working on these lines and that both parties are keen to help each other.
Dr Salahi expressed his condolences for the recent air crash victims and wished that the bereaved families have patience to bear their loss.
BISP Secretary Muhammad Sher Khan and Pakistani Counselor General in Mashhad Qazi Habib-ur-Rehman were also present during the meeting.