ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has underlined the need for the two countries to take concrete measures for addressing the issue of smuggling and providing the people, especially those residing at Pak-Iran border, with increased business opportunities.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday received Iranian Minister for Industry, Mines and Trade Mr. Reza Rehmani at Prime Minister's Office.

Mr. Yazdan Saif, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Ramezan Ali Sobhani Far, Member of Parliament, Mr. Abdullah Rigi Mirjaveh, Chairman ICCIMA, Sistan & Baluchistan Province and Ambassador Mr. Mehdi Honardoost were accompanying the Iranian Industry Minister.

Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser Commerce Mr. Abdul Razzak Dawood, Chairman BOI Mr. Zubair Gillani, Secretary Commerce Mr. Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera were also present during the meeting.

Pak-Iran bilateral relations and the progress being made towards optimally realising the trade potential between the two countries was discussed during the meeting.

The Iranian Minister while conveying greetings from the Iranian leadership to the Prime Minister said that the Prime Minister's visit to Iran has provided momentum to the efforts aimed at cementing bilateral relations especially trade and economic ties.

He expressed great satisfaction over the progress being made by Pak-Iran Joint Trade Committee in removing obstacles in way to enhancing mutual trade.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Iranian delegation and observed that geographical proximity and close brotherly ties, rooted in historical, cultural and religious commonalities, offered huge potential to enhance mutual trade and economic cooperation for the benefit of the people of two countries.

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations in diverse fields including people-to-people exchanges.—NNI