Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that economic cooperation between Pakistan, Iran, China, Turkey, Afghanistan and India is vital for regional peace and cooperation.
CM met Consul General of Iran Hussain Bani Asadi in Lahore on Monday. In the meeting various steps to promote cooperation in different sectors, along with matters of mutual interest came under discussion. CM said that Pakistanis stand shoulder to shoulder with Iranian brethren. He said the goal of progress and prosperity can be achieved by sitting together and removing mutual differences. He said by promoting economic and commercial ties between Punjab government and Iran, bilateral relations can be further strengthened
Punjab government was working in collaboration with Iran for the establishment of modern slaughter houses in the province, he said, adding that along with setting up of modern slaughter houses, cooperation in solar energy, irrigation and liver transplants was also on Punjab government’s agenda. He said that a delegation of Punjabi investors and businessmen would participate in an exhibition to be held in the Iranian city of Mashad in November.
Commenting on the regional situation, CM said that extremists had no religion and country and all countries of the region should collectively draft a strategy to eradicate the menace. Referring to his meeting with Indian Foreign Minister SM Karishna, he said that “I have made it clear that Pakistan and India have fought three wars, but as a result both countries and their people have achieved nothing except poverty, backwardness, unemployment and heaps of problems”
Asadi extended invitation to CM Shahbaz to visit Iran. CM accepted the invitation to visit Iran. The CM congratulated Iranian leadership for holding of non-aligned conference. Planning and Development chairman and other officials concerned were also present on the occasion.
