ISLAMABAD (APP): Chairman Senate Muhammedmian Soomro said relations between Pakistan and Iran have stood the test of time during the last half century and these would continue to flourish in the years ahead.

The Chairman was talking to a 6-member delegation from the Guardian Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Ayatullah Ahmad Jannati, which is currently on a weeklong visit to Pakistan on the invitation of the Pakistan Council of Islamic Ideology.
Soomro said, “Both the countries desire peace and stability in the region and the world.”
It is in the interest of both the countries to forge closer ties in various fields and to share their experiences to mutual advantage, he observed.
The leader of the Iranian delegation expressed his profound gratitude over the warm hospitality extended to him and other members of the delegation.
He said Pakistan is just like their second homeland and the achievements made by this country are a source of pride and joy for Iran also.
He recalled that Iran is the first country which recognized Pakistan immediately after its creation. He expressed the desire that the two countries must have closer relations in the political, social, diplomatic and economic fields as they have the potential to play a leading role in the Islamic world.
He extended warm felicitations to the chairman on successful and peaceful conduct of general elections in the country in February and hoped these would usher in an era of prosperity for the country.
He informed that a great many eminent personalities, jurists, lawyers etc are its members. The Committees of the Senate, he said, are also very active and playing their due role with regard to Parliamentary oversight functions of various ministries and divisions.
He stressed the need of sharing of experiences and exchange of parliamentary delegations.
Guardian Council of Iran is a powerful body with vast Legislative and Executive jurisdictions, which forms a corner stone of Iran’s Constitution. It, with the status of Senate is also authorized to examine all Parliamentary decisions as to their consistency with the tenets of Islam.
The Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran Mashallah Shakeri was also present.