Iran values relations with Pakistan: Ambassador

(APP): The Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, Masha Allah Shakeri on Tuesday said that Iran highly values its relations with Pakistan, and always stands with it on all issues of national and international importance.  In a meeting with Federal Minister for Environment Samina Khalid Ghurki here, the Ambassador said that Pakistan and Iran are brotherly Islamic countries and people of both countries are enjoying close and historic relations with each other.

Federal Secretary Environment Khawaja Muhammad Naeem, Director General Environment Jawaid Ali Khan and Inspector General (Forest) Syed Mahmood Nasir were also present on the occasion.

The Iranian Ambassador lauded the role of Pakistan to highlight the issues of Environment and Climate Change globally.

He emphasized that Pakistan should play its role as bridge among the regional countries especially related to environment sector so that better understanding may be developed about this common issue.

Masha Allah Shakeri informed that Pakistan and Iran are victims of terrorism and both countries have to focus on this core issue to extend the support to each other.

Pakistan is the most important member of ECO and Iran always value the inputs and involvement of Pakistan, he said and desired to get privilege from the experiences of Pakistan in environment sector.

The Ambassador also conveyed the Message of Iranian President H.E Ahmadinejad to the Federal Minister of Environment who is also the head of Environment Sector of Iran, for the participation in ECO Ministerial Summit on Environment being held in the month of June.

Samina Khalid Ghurki said that their mutual support will always continue on all issues of national and international interest.

She also thanked the government and people of Iran for providing valuable assistance in devastating flood situation in Pakistan.  

The Federal Minister told that Ambassador that Pakistan gave priority to the environmental issues and has taken significant steps to promote pollution free environment in the country.

While briefing the Ambassador about initiatives taken by the Ministry of Environment, she expressed her deep concerns about hazardous impacts of environmental degradation in the region especially in Pakistan.

She also wished to accelerate the possibilities of mutual collaboration in this sector so that experiences and research based knowledge may be exchanged and maximum benefits from each other may be gained.

She assured that all possible initiatives would be taken to extend the cooperation to develop peace and harmony in the region.

Samina Khalid Ghurki further pointed out that collective efforts are the need of time to develop healthy environment for our present and coming generations. She expressed confidence that mutual relations would grow in strength in the days ahead.

Earlier, Iranian Ambassador expressed his grief over the sad demise of her husband Khalid Ghurki (Late) and offered ‘Fatiha’.