ISLAMABAD: Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost said on Sunday that the leadership of Pakistan and Iran would use all resources at hand to help resolve the issues being faced by the Muslim Ummah.
“Both Pakistan and Iran have the best relationship with lots of commonalities. We have excellent bilateral relations. In fact it can be said Iran and Pakistan can feel challenges faced by Muslim Ummah and both the countries must use all resources at hand to help resolve these issues,” he said while addressing a reception Iranian embassy hosted here at a local hotel to mark the 39th anniversary of the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution and the National Day of Iran.
The Iranian ambassador said that besides Iranian national day, the event was held to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Iran.
Referring to challenges in ties between Pakistan and Iran, Honardoost said that both the countries were working to overcome these impediments.
“Both countries have a cordial focus on issues and the two governments are working to overcome them. Iran’s foreign policy is based on engagement with friendly countries and this is how we resolve issues,” he said.
He encouraged participation of both countries in Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) which is a platform to boost economic ties.
He also emphasized on the need of mutual cooperation between the two countries to achieve peace and sustainability in the region. Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani graced the occasion as the chief guest as politicians, diplomats, army officials, scholars, businessmen and media persons attended the event.
Punjab’s Minister for Labour and Human Resource Ashfaq Sarwar, National Security Advisor of Pakistan Lieutenant General (Retd) Nasir Janjua, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, Allama Sajid Naqvi and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Sheikh Amir Waheed were also among the prominent guests.
In a rare show of solidarity, Iranian students on the occasion sung national anthems of Pakistan and Iran which were followed by the cake-cutting ceremony.
Iranian girls were wearing green shirts to show their solidarity with Pakistan while the boys were wearing white shirts and black trousers.
Wearing a pleasant smile which has been a hallmark of Iranian diplomacy, the Iranian ambassador said.