News
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Iran, Pakistan to establish joint airline company* PM visits shrine of Imam Raza (AS), ancestral province
* Gilani suggests Multan and Rasht be declared sister cities
TEHRAN: Iran and Pakistan have agreed to set up a joint airline company to facilitate visits by the two countries’ nationals, Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi announced on Tuesday.
“We have decided to establish Iran-Pakistan joint airline company in a bid to increase and facilitate exchange of visits by the two countries’ people,” Rahimi said during a joint press conference with visiting Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani here in Tehran.
He further underlined that an all-out expansion of ties between the two neighbouring states required preparing the needed grounds, including construction of roads and rail links.
“Today, Iran and Pakistan are moving hand in hand to attain their specific goals, and we can link the Far East to South Asia, Africa and Europe.
“We can take our first step in the Middle East and a second step in intercontinental transiting,” the Iranian vice president added.
Earlier this month, Iranian and Pakistani officials signed several agreements on mutual cooperation at the end of their 18th Joint Economic Cooperation Commission meeting in Islamabad.
During the 18th meeting of the Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, officials of the two sides evaluated progress in the implementation of decisions taken during the previous session in Tehran in 2008.
At the meeting the two sides endorsed three agreements on Economic and Technical Cooperation, establishment of Iran-Pakistan Investment Company and cooperation in electronic media between Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and PTV and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
The MoUs were signed by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Pakistani Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh.
Analysts say that strong bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan are vital for the stability of the region. Gilani proposed that Multan in Pakistan and Rasht in Iran be declared sister cities.
The prime minister made the proposal in a meeting with Gilan province Governor General Mehdi Sa’adati in Lahijan.
Referring to the history of Lahijan, Gilani said that Multan also enjoyed a 5,000- year-old civilization.
He also described his recent negotiations with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi as fruitful.
Gilani also visited the shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza (AS) in Mashhad and travelled to the city of Rasht, capital of Gilan province, the homeland of his ancestors.
The prime minister offered prayers at the shrine and expressed keen interest in its architectural features.
The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Textile Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Minister for Professional and Technical Training Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Senator Sughra Imam.
Mashhad is the second largest city in Iran and one of the holiest cities in the Muslim world.
On his arrival in Rasht, the prime minister was warmly received by high-ranking Iranian officials.
The prime minister went around the city of Rasht, known as a place of attraction for domestic tourists of Iran. Gilan is the north western province of Iran along the Caspian sea. Gilani left on Tuesday night for home at the conclusion of his official visit to Iran. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk