The Parliamentary Defence Committees of Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance mutual consultation and cooperation in the context of changes in the region, particularly Afghanistan which will affect both neighbors.
This was stated by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman, Senate Defence and Defence Production Committee following talks with the visiting delegation from the Iran’s Parliament and Foreign Affairs Committee headed by Alaeddin Borojourdi.
The two committees had formal discussions at the Parliament House during which there was an exchange of views on Pakistan-Iran relations particularly gas pipeline, Afghanistan, Muslim unity and the Iran nuclear programme.
Both sides also agreed on the necessity of enhancing cooperation between the Defence Ministries of both countries.
Senator Mushahid Hussain thanked Iran for its generous support to Pakistan during times of trouble, particularly when Pakistan faced pressures as well as recently during the floods in Sindh.
Senator Mushahid Hussain said that Pakistan have no fundamental conflict of interests and he said that the entire Pakistani nation was committed to building the energy pipeline with Iran since it is a pipeline of peace and prosperity for the region.
Senator Mushahid Hussain told the visiting Iranian delegation that Pakistan rejects any double standards on the nuclear issue and strongly feels that the standoff with Iran on the nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully, without threat or use of force.
The Senate Defence Committee of Pakistan supported the right of Iran to undertake nuclear research and enrichment for peaceful purposes in accordance with IAEA safeguards.
Alaeddin Borojourdi clearly stated that Iran has no intention of building the Atomic bomb but it will certainly exercise its right to do nuclear research and development for peaceful purposes. He also said that Iran will continue to supply arms and ammunition to those fighting in Lebanon such as the Hizbullah and the Hamas and Islamic Jehad in Palestine.
Borojourdi also stated that Iran was committed to the energy pipeline with Pakistan and also offered to help support the construction of the pipeline in Pakistan as well, since, he said that the pipeline from the Iranian side was almost complete and there would be important development on this issue when President Zardari visits Tehran on December 7.
The Iranian delegation, which is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of the Senate Defence Committee, also called on the Chairman Senate, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari.
