Pakistani president, Iranian FM meet

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi late Thursday night and both diplomats expressed satisfaction at the current level of bilateral relationship. Salehi concluded his two-day visit to Pakistan with his meeting with President Zardari who was in Karachi to monitor floods damages in southern Sindh province. Salehi was in Pakistan to attend the two-day Joint Economic Commission meeting in Islamabad. President Zardari and the Iranian Foreign Minister discussed regional issues and said both countries are in favour of peaceful solution to disputes. President Zardari recalled his fruitful talks with Iranian leaders during his visit to Tehran in July. He also thanked Iran for cooperation in energy sector and stressed the need for timely completion of the gas pipeline and electricity import projects, Presidential spokesman, Farhatulalh Babar said. Earlier the Iranian foreign Minister was accorded warm welcome when he arrived at Karachi International Airport. Sindh provincial minister Sharjeel Memon received the Iranian delegation at the airport. President Zardari told Salehi that Pakistan values its relations with Iran and all other neighbouring countries. He hoped that the decisions taken at the Iran-Pak Joint Economic Commission meeting will help promote economic ties. President Zardari also thanked Iran's offers for resolving Pakistan's energy crisis and hoped that the multi-billion gas pipeline would prove an important project to address to the Pakistani energy requirements. Salehi thanked Pakistan for warm welcome and hospitality during his visit and conveyed best wishes to the President on behalf of Iranian leaders. He said Iran is ready to help Pakistan deal with energy crisis and said that the gas pipeline would be completed in time.