ISLAMABAD: The Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari has said that Pakistan and Iran relations will continue to flourish in the days and years to come.

He stated this while addressing the Majlis Shura Islami (Iranian Parliament), said a press release received here on Monday.

He said that Pakistan deeply treasures and values its fraternal ties with Iran and both the countries enjoy a unique relationship that draws strength from the abiding kinship of common faith, cultural affinities and shared traditions that go many centuries back.

“Our complete trust in each other and convergence of views on bilateral, regional and international issues, has lent extra depth to our already strong ties”, he said.

The Chairman said that Pakistan believes that in the present globalized world, the multifaceted problems could be resolved through proactive participation in multilateral institutions and organizations.

“We are committed to finding a negotiated settlement of the Kashmir dispute”, he said.

He expressed his satisfaction that Pakistan and Iran relations have smoothly progressed over the years into an equation based on principles of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation.

Nayyer Bukhari said that there is a strong bond of affinity between the leadership of the two countries.

President Ahmedinejad was the first Head of State who visited Pakistan after the present government of Pakistan took office in 2008.

He again visited Pakistan earlier this year in February 2012.

Asif Ali Zardari has also visited Iran four times since taking over as the President.

He said Iran and Pakistan are two important players in the region, sharing common borders, their unique strategic location place them in a way that the nature and content of their bilateral relations is bound to have a profound impact on the peace and stability of the entire region.

He said that a number of important projects between the two countries are in the pipeline. These include the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project through which Pakistan will receive gas from Iran by December 2014; a project for the supply of 100 MW electricity to Gwadar; and a project for the supply of additional 1,000 MW electricity to Pakistan by Iran.

He emphasized that it is time to move towards a more multi-faceted and a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship in all areas, particularly trade and investment, energy, security, communication and infrastructure.

Nayyer Bukhari underlined the need to strengthen Parliamentary relations alongside economic and trade linkages.

“Close cooperation among our Parliaments is very essential to bring people closer to each other. It will provide us a mechanism through which we can make a difference in promoting shared ideals of democracy, peace and development”, Bukhari said.

He called upon the leaders of the entire Muslim Ummah to work for the well being, prosperity and betterment of Muslim World.

The Chairman Senate thanked Speaker of Majlis Shura Islami Dr. Ali Larijani, the members of the Majlis and the government and people of Iran for the hospitality.

The Chairman Senate also visited the Shrine of Hazarat Imam Reza (AS) and the holy city of Qom.

He also thanked Dr. Ali Ardeshir Larijani for the unique opportunity to address fellow Members of the Shura and Iranian friends and brothers, who have always been close to hearts.