Rouhani, Imran Khan call for more trade ties as Pakistan PM blasts US sanctions on Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have called for the further expansion of bilateral ties, especially trade cooperation.

During a telephone conversation on Wednesday, the two top officials discussed a variety of issues, including bilateral ties.

Rouhani called for the reopening of the border markets of Iran and Pakistan while observing healthcare guidelines, saying it will lead to the growth of Tehran-Islamabad trade relations.

“We are interested in exchanging goods and trade with Pakistan via borders, as we do with other neighboring countries,” Rouhani said.

He also praised Pakistan’s opposition to the illegal US sanctions against Iran.

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Expressing hope that the two countries will boost their economic cooperation, Rouhani also called for the implementation of the agreements already signed between Tehran and Islamabad.

Imran Khan also emphasized the development and deepening of relations with Iran, especially economic and trade cooperation, and welcomed the resumption of trade activities on the borders of the two countries and the operation of border markets in accordance with healthcare guidelines.

He said the resumption of trade between the two countries will significantly contribute to Pakistan's economy, which has been plagued by the coronavirus.

The Pakistani prime minister also condemned the US imposition of sanctions and increased economic pressure on Iran amid the difficult conditions that the world is facing due to the coronavirus pandemic, and said, "I take it upon myself to support Iran in the face of illegal US actions."

The two sides also stressed the need to use each other's experience, knowledge and technology to combat and control coronavirus.

They also condemned any discrimination and pressure against Muslims and expressed their support for Islamic nations in this regard.

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Separately on Wednesday, Rouhani also had a phone call with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

Pointing to the historical and cultural commonalities between the two nations and the friendly and growing relations between the two governments in various fields, including trade and economy, the two presidents stressed the need to develop all-out relations and cooperation to ensure the interests of both nations.

Rouhani and Berdimuhamedow discussed the problems and difficulties caused by the coronavirus for most countries in the world, stressing the need for efforts of all nations in the fight against COVID-19 while urging mutual cooperation between the two countries towards the goal.

Rouhani said Iran has made good achievements in the fight against the deadly virus and was ready to share its experience with Turkmenistan.

For his part, Berdimuhamedow highlighted Iran’s status in the region’s economic and trade relations, and said the development of relations and sincere cooperation with friendly countries, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran based on mutual respect is a priority for Turkmenistan.

Iran, one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the pandemic, has mobilized all its resources to contain COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus, despite the hardships due to the US sanctions.

The US re-imposed its sanctions on Iran in May 2018 after unilaterally leaving a historic UNSC-endorsed nuclear accord with the Islamic Republic and five other major powers in defiance of global criticism.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has not only snubbed global calls in recent weeks to halt the sanctions, but has even imposed more restrictive measures on the Islamic Republic.

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