ISLAMABAD (IRNA) -- Deputy Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan Qasim Khan Suri says developing peaceful nuclear program is Iran’s inalienable and legitimate right, criticizing West’s discriminatory attitude towards the Islamic Republic and condemning unilateral U.S. sanctions on the country.
He made the remarks just before paying an official visit to Iran at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart.
The 52-year-old Pakistani politician, who hails from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, a province bordering Sistan and Baluchestan in Iran said the exchange of political, economic, parliamentary, security and cultural delegations has always been on the agenda of the two neighboring countries and shows strong trust in each other in all matters.
Suri appreciated Iran’s view on developing relations with Pakistan and emphasized the importance of the two countries’ common vision in discussing regional and international issues. He Tehran and Islamabad are time tested friends and support each other at all regional and global forums.
Suri said his trip to Iran was very important, saying Pakistan was eager to know about the governance methods and parliamentary activities in Iran.
Strengthening bilateral parliamentary and economic cooperation, development of cross-border trade, security of common borders and developments in Afghanistan are among the most important goals of his visit to Iran, he added.
Suri warned that some parties are trying to target the long-standing friendly relations between Iran and Pakistan.
The Pakistani official appreciated Iran’s positions in supporting Muslim nations, including the people of Kashmir, stating that Tehran and Islamabad “have fortunately common positions on issues related to Muslim countries”.
He said constructive consultations should be held to help the oppressed people of Afghanistan and to promote peace in the common neighborhood.
Suri touched on the important

position of Iran in the region and the need for cooperation among the countries of the region. The Pakistan parliamentarian welcomed the recent developments in Tehran-Riyadh ties, saying Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan did not spare any effort to help defuse tensions in the region, especially between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
He denounced the discriminatory attitude of Western powers towards Iran, especially against the development of peaceful nuclear program, saying Iran is an independent and a free state and has the legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear program.
He also condemned unilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran, saying Islamabad supports Tehran’s position.
Suri emphasized the need to develop relations between the parliamentary, cultural and commercial institutions of Iran and Pakistan, saying “we want to expand close cooperation with Tehran in the field of security”.
Pointing to the importance of security of joint borders of Iran and Pakistan, Suri said establishment of border markets is a worthy action of the two neighboring countries to help develop trade and improve the livelihood of border residents.
He spoke about his numerous and informal trips to Iran and expressed his satisfaction with the recent official visit to Iran, saying he would also visit the cities of Mashhad, Qom and Isfahan during his trip to Iran.
“My trip to Iran will not be complete without visiting the holy city of Mashhad and visiting the court of Imam Reza (AS) and Fatima Masumeh in Qom,” he added.
Suri, heading a parliamentary delegation left for Iran early Saturday, to meet with senior Iranian officials and discuss bilateral cooperation, strengthening economic, parliamentary and border relations.
This is Suri’s first official visit to Iran as deputy speaker of the Pakistani parliament. His visit to Tehran comes just days after Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi’s important visit to Islamabad.