Speakers at a conference in Pakistan stressed upon the need to enhance non-dollar trade with Iran to boost economic ties between the two friendly neighboring states. They urged the government of Pakistan to benefit from Iran’s surplus energy resources to overcome energy crisis in the country.
They were speaking at a dialogue on Pakistan-Iran Future Relations: New Geostrategic and Geo-economic situation organized by the Institute of International Relations and Media Research in Lahore.
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They said there is no conflict between Iran and Pakistan that would impede their friendly relations, adding that China also wants to see expansion of ties between the two friendly states. Speakers said that the US is trying to create hurdles in Pakistan-Iran trade, but the two countries can overcome these issues by launching non-dollar trade mechanism.
‘The time has come for Iran and Pakistan to take effective steps to deepen relations,’ said Javid Husain, former Pakistani ambassador to Iran.
He believed that Chabahar would prove to be complementary to the Gwadar port operations instead of becoming the latter’s competitor. Mr Husain urged Islamabad to take Tehran along in finding a peaceful solution to the burning Afghan crisis.
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He asserted that both the neighboring Muslim countries would have to be on the same page vis-à-vis Afghan peace for the security and economic welfare of both states.
Muhammad Mehdi, political leader and chairman of Soch Forum said Iran and Pakistan enjoy strong brotherly ties and both countries should focus on non-dollar trade.
Pakistan has good relations with the Persian Gulf’s Arab states, and is trying to maintain the balance in its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia, he said.
He said Iran can meet Pakistan’s energy needs and Pakistan has a good capacity to export medicine, food and textile products to Iran. Amjad Abbas Magsi, professor at Punjab University in Pakistan, said strengthening of bilateral relations is in the interest of both Iran and Pakistan.
“There is no conflict between the two countries, so there should be no hindrance in the development of relations,” he said. He said that the expansion of mutual cooperation would not only strengthen relations, but also benefit Balochistan and Sistan and Baluchistan regions of Iran and Pakistan.
