Visit to Pakistan: Renewing the Bonds of Brotherhood and Friendship
‎ It is a profound honor and great pleasure to be among my brothers and sisters in ‎Pakistan. Your country, Pakistan, is a significant and influential member of the Islamic world ‎and an important partner in our region. The relationship between our two nations is deeply ‎rooted, encompassing cultural, religious, political, and economic dimensions. Yet, for us ‎Iranians, the value of Pakistan extends far beyond conventional state-to-state relations — it is ‎a bond of heart and faith.‎
‎ Iran and Pakistan are two brotherly nations bound together by enduring affection ‎and mutual respect. This fraternity between our people is the most valuable asset our ‎governments share. Iran and Pakistan enjoy profound cultural and civilizational ‎commonalities, underpinned by a shared history, faith, and vision for peace and progress. Iran ‎was proud to be the first country to recognize Pakistan’s independence, and ever since, our ‎two nations have maintained a steadfast relationship of cooperation and goodwill. Eminent ‎figures such as Allama Iqbal Lahori stand as timeless symbols of the intellectual and spiritual ‎unity between our nations. His poetry and philosophy embody the shared aspirations of the ‎people of Iran and Pakistan.‎
‎ Both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have strong, ‎vibrant, and influential parliaments. The tradition of parliamentary diplomacy between our ‎two nations has long been active and productive. In the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, ‎we are committed to deepening cooperation with the Parliament of Pakistan and to supporting ‎our respective governments in strengthening relations across all sectors.‎
‎ Iran and Pakistan possess vast potential for the further expansion of bilateral economic ‎cooperation. The economies of our two countries complement each other in many areas. ‎Border trade markets represent one of the key mechanisms that must be further developed to ‎enhance cross-border commerce and realize our shared goal of achieving $10 billion in ‎bilateral trade.‎
‎ Iran and Pakistan also face common challenges and share common adversaries. Both ‎nations have endured the pain of terrorism and have been at the forefront of the fight against ‎it, offering great sacrifices in the pursuit of peace and stability. Alongside this struggle, our two ‎nations have stood united in their unwavering support for the oppressed people of Palestine, ‎raising a clear and principled voice against injustice and occupation. The Zionist regime ‎remains the principal threat to peace and security across the Islamic world. Its brutal ‎aggression in Gaza has once again exposed its inhumane and expansionist nature. From the ‎very first day of this conflict, Iran and Pakistan have expressed solidarity with the Palestinian ‎cause and will continue to do so unwaveringly.‎
‎ The twelve-day imposed war launched by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran was ‎yet another manifestation of this regime’s hostility and aggression. The people and armed ‎forces of Iran, however, responded with strength and dignity, defending their sovereignty and ‎delivering a firm response to the aggressor. I take this opportunity to express my sincere ‎gratitude to the government, parliament, and great people of Pakistan for their fraternal ‎support and solidarity during those difficult days.‎
‎ Iran and Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of shared ‎challenges, guided by the belief that the security of Pakistan is inseparable from the security of ‎Iran.‎
‎ Our two countries have long enjoyed close and friendly relations, rooted in mutual trust ‎and brotherhood. As we have preserved this solidarity through the years, so too must we ‎strengthen it in the years ahead. Together, under the sacred banner of Islam, we must strive to ‎remove barriers to cooperation and work for the prosperity, dignity, and progress of both our ‎nations.‎
‎ Once again, I wish to express my deep appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by ‎my brothers in the Parliament of Pakistan. I pray to Almighty God for the continued peace, ‎prosperity, and success of the great nation and government of Pakistan.‎
By: Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf,
Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic ‎Republic of Iran.
