ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, economy and counter-terrorism, Radio Pakistan reported.

He stated this while addressing a joint news conference in the federal capital on Wednesday along with visiting Secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani.

The adviser said both sides noted that the security scenario in the region was evolving rapidly and there was a need for the two countries to work together through better and closer coordination on tracking and controlling existing and emerging terrorist threats in the region.

He added that both Pakistan and Iran had already devised several institutional mechanisms to enhance cooperation in different areas which included tackling the border issues between the two countries.

The two sides brought a number of proposals to the table to strengthen cooperation in different areas including defence, energy and communication.

Sartaj said the two countries have very effective mechanisms that include the Joint Economic Commission, the Joint Border Commission and the Joint Commission on Road Transport.

“We have agreed to effectively utilise these platforms,” he added.

He said Pakistan condemned terrorism in its all forms and manifestations as it is a common threat, which needs joint and coordinated response.

“We agreed to cooperate more with Iran to tackle this menace and also problems of smuggling and drug trafficking,” he said.

Admiral Ali Shamkhani, on his first ever visit to Pakistan in his capacity as the Secretary of Iranian Supreme National Security Council, also discussed issues pertaining to regional and international security with the foreign affairs adviser.

Shamkhani appreciated Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism and said “Iran would extend its full cooperation in this fight”.

The admiral also discussed prospects for the gas pipeline and power projects to meet energy requirements of Pakistan. He hoped that these projects would be completed as early as possible.

Regarding the news that Chahbahar Port of Iran and Gwadar Port of Pakistan are being built to compete with each other, he explained that these two important projects are meant to supplement each other's efforts in promoting trade in the region.

He added that Iran is ready to extend its cooperation for development in the Balochistan province.

Appreciating Pakistan's assistance in facilitating the dialogue between Taliban representatives and Afghan Government, he said that the success of this dialogue process will ensure peace and development in the region.

In response to a question, Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan would welcome any role of Iran for the success of Afghan-Taliban dialogue process.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council is responsible for the Gulf country’s defence and security policies. Ali Shamkhani is an influential figure in Tehran for being close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

According to a source, Shamkhani’s agenda for the trip included border security, intelligence-sharing, security cooperation and exploring the prospects of bilateral cooperation after the nuclear-related sanctions are lifted, Dawn newspaper reported.

Islamabad has been hopeful of reviving a stalled gas pipeline project connecting Iran to energy-starved Pakistan, following the signing of a historic nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Earlier in August, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in his visit to Pakistan said that Iran intends to expand economic cooperation with Pakistan, along with increasing regional cooperation and carrying out joint efforts in the fight against extremism and terrorism.

Know more: Iran wants expanded relations with Pakistan: Zarif