Iran has always stood by Pakistan in the testing times:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab chief minister-designate Shahbaz Sharif said Sunday that strengthening ties with neighbour countries forms the basis of PML-N’s foreign policy.

“Iran is not only our neighbour, it is also one of our closest friends,” Shahbaz said during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Alireza Haghighian. “Iran has always stood by Pakistan in the testing times,” he said.

Shahbaz said that unrest and terrorism pose hurdle to the region’s progress and countries in the region must work together to improve the situation. “I believe Iran can play a vital role in this regard,” he said.

The CM-designate said that brotherly ties between the two countries must be transformed into an economic relationship. “We will welcome Iran’s investment in energy and other sectors in Punjab,” Shahbaz said.

The ambassador assured Shahbaz of Iran’s cooperation in energy sector and said Tehran could help Punjab generate 2,000MW of electricity if some hurdles are removed.

Earlier, speaking to the media after a meeting with People’s Muslim League chief Arbab Ghulam Rahim, the CM-designate said that leaders and political parties from across the country are joining PML-N. “This is due to the prudent policies of Nawaz Sharif,” he said. He added that Arbab Ghulam Rahim could form an effective opposition in Sindh which would keep a check on the performance of the provincial government.