Islamic Revolution, a new chapter in Iran-Pak ties

Despite some ups and downs since the creation of Pakistan, both Iran and Pakistan have been enjoying strong brotherly relations and today they are trying to further strengthen the brotherly ties.

Soon after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, then Pakistani foreign minister Agha Shahi travelled to Iran and met with the founder of Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini. During the visit both sides expressed confidence in bright future of the bilateral relations.

Every year the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution once again reminds both nations of their strong and brotherly relations.

President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have also visited each other countries in recent years and months with an effort to further boost the bilateral cooperation.

During eight years of imposed war on Iran by then regime of Iraq supported by western powers, Pakistan proved to be a close friend of Iran and Iran was also there to help Pakistan during mass floods which left millions homeless in Pakistan in 2010. Two nations have proved many times as time-tested friends to each other.

Iran and Pakistan have common stance on many regional and international issues, including those of the Muslim World such as Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq and Syria and believe that fate of these lands should be decided by their own people.

While meeting Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani once said that “Pakistan’s security is security of Iran,” which shows how much Pakistan is important for Iran.

Iran and Pakistan have also pledged to take the volume of bilateral trade to five billion dollars. The lifting of sanctions against Iran has paved the way for resumption of economic relations between the two countries with a view to realizing the true potential of bilateral trade.
Both countries are also working on number of energy projects which would help Pakistan to overcome its energy woes.

Talking to IRNA, ambassadors of both countries are very decisive on expansion of bilateral ties. High level exchange of visits between the officials of two counties regularly takes place which shows the strong nature of bilateral ties.

Pakistan Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb in a meeting with Iranian envoy has underlined the need for enhanced media collaboration between Iran and Pakistan to further reinforce and consolidate their already strong relationship.

Iran has also expressed its desire to become a part of the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that links western China with Gwadar deep-sea port in Balochistan.

Foreign minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif during a meeting with Pakistani Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that Iran is ready to mediate between India and Pakistan to reduce tensions.
Both sides are also working on resumption of banking channels so that the impediments in bilateral trade could be removed.

Pakistan Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo in a meeting with Iranian ambassador had said Pakistan is interested to link Gwadar and Chabahar ports through road and railway network.

The regular meetings between the leaders and officials of the two countries show the vast canvas of Iran-Pakistan relationship.

Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security Alaeddin Boroujerdi who recently visited Pakistan said that Tehran attaches great importance to its relations with Islamabad.

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