Pakistan needs to reinforce synergies with Iran: Nawaz

The prime minister also spoke about strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

ISLAMABAD: With Iran having threatened to seal its border with Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said they need to promote strategies aimed at reinforcing synergies between the border regions through physical connectivity and border trade markets.

According to a press release issued by the PM Office, Nawaz met with the visiting Iranian Interior Minister Abdolereza Rehmani Fazli on Tuesday.

The premier spoke about strengthening economic ties between the two countries. He added that Pakistan and Iran are bound by ties of religion, culture, history and geography.

He said Pakistan attaches great importance to its brotherly relations with Iran and seeking a peaceful neighbourhood remains a policy priority for the government.

"Our commitment to this relationship is unequivocal and firm."

Nawaz also spoke about his impending visit to Iran and meeting with Iranian President Rouhani. He said that the forthcoming visit will serve as a political affirmation and will also set a new direction based on cooperative partnership.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali news conference

On Tuesday afternoon, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that relations between Pakistan and Iran will guarantee peace and security in the region, reported Radio Pakistan.

He said the two sides have agreed to enhance cooperation in areas such as security, cross border terrorism, smuggling, human trafficking, greater intelligence sharing and coordination between the security forces of the two countries.

Furthermore, he said that Pakistan and Iran have agreed in principle to establish hotline for exchange of information to thwart any untoward incident.