Iran-Pakistan anti-terror cooperation stressed

Iran and Pakistan here Wednesday agreed to enhance cooperation to combat terrorism. After holding a meeting with the Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar talking to media said that soon Pakistan and Iran would sign a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation on security issues. He said that that the purpose of his visit to Pakistan is to help the people affected by floods in southern Pakistan. The minister alos said that Iran would continue to help its brother country in difficult times. “We share same border and we also share same interests”, added Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar. He said Iran and Pakistan has been enjoying strong brotherly relations for past many years. He vowed to contribute to the bid for incresing the trade volume between Iran and Pakistan from one billion dollars to 10 billion dollars. Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar added that visits of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani to Iran had helped to further enhance cooperation between the two countries. The IRI interior minister said that Iran and Pakistan are cooperating in energy sector and many new projects have been signed. Iran’s Interior Minister expressing his views said that Iran and Pakistan should continue their talks on security issues. He said that the two countries should protect their borders against any western evil designs. He vowed to fight terrorism in every possible way. Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar viewed that the soil of regional countries should not be used for activities of terrorism against each other. He said that the enemies of Iran and Pakistan are trying to sow seeds of hatred between the two brotherly countries. “We will not permit any such activity”, warned the minister. He also called for strong relationship at provincial level between Iran and Pakistan. Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar described himself as representative of Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Pakistan. He said that Iran would help Pakistani flood victims to maximum level. The Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik on the occasion thanked the Iranian government for allocating 100 million dollars aid to flood victims in Pakistan. He stressed the need for a common strategy to fight terrorism. He said that the Iranian Minister will be visiting Pakistan's flood hit areas in Sindh where he will be welcomed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. Rehman Malik added that the Iranian delegation will alos hold meetings with the representatives of Pakistani NGOs in Karachi. He said that Pakistan and Iran are like family members. 'Our two countries share same history, religion and culture', maintained the minister. He expressed the hope that this bond of friendship will continue to grow in times to come. He stressed for the Unity of the Muslim Ummah terming it as a need of the hour. Rehman Malik said 'We can face challenges to Islam only if we are united'.