ISLAMABAD (IRNA) –
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says Tehran and Islamabad will not allow saboteurs to harm bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA in reference to a Saturday terrorist killing of five Iranian border guards at the joint border with Pakistan, Zardari vehemently condemned the terrorist incident. He said that Iran and Pakistan are determined not to allow such plots to overshadow the bilateral relations of the two countries.
Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs had earlier issued a statement to slam the terrorist attack. Islamabad, it said, is committed to cooperate with Tehran in the fight against terrorism.
The border guards were martyred in Saravan late Saturday after terrorists raided a border security checkpoint in the region and retreated to areas in the territory of Pakistan.
On Friday, the committee of foreign affairs of Pakistan’s senate called for bolstering ties with Iran, saying Islamabad should not neglect Tehran’s important position in the region and the world.
The call came during a meeting of the committed, attended by Foreign Minister Bhutto-Zardari and Senator Farooq H. Naek.
Bhutto-Zardari appreciated the role of China in bringing Iran and Saudi Arabia closer, saying improved

relations between Tehran and Riyadh would also have a positive effect on Pakistan.
Career Pakistan Foreign Service Officer Asad Majeed Khan touched on meetings between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, describing them as very important that reflect the strong resolve of both countries to take steps forward.
Saadia Abbasi, another Pakistani senate member, stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations with Iran. She said sanctions should not prevent the expansion of relations between the two neighbors because Iran’s position as a powerful country in the region and the world is very important to Pakistan.
President Raisi and Sharif jointly inaugurated the 100 MW Polan-Gabd electricity transmission line which runs from Iran to Pakistan’s Gwadar region on May 18.
Raisi said in addition to energy exchanges, the two countries seek to expand ties in all aspects.
The president said six markets are planned to be launched on the border between Iran and Pakistan to help boost employment and trade between the two countries.
Sharif touched on the history of ties between Iran and Pakistan, saying they have always enjoyed brotherly and friendly relations.