Close contact, important asset of Iran-Pak ties: APP MD.

ISLAMABAD -- Managing Director of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) strongly believes that close people-to-people contact between Iran and Pakistan is the most important asset of bilateral ties. In an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Mohammad Qamarullah Chaudhry said that upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Iran would further enhance strong bilateral relations. 'I hope the visit will go a long way in strengthening our brotherly relations with Iran,' he said. Prime Minister Imran Khan will be on a two-day official visit to Iran from April 21, he informed.

Mohammad Qamarullah Chaudhry said Iran and Pakistan have historical, religious, cultural and political relations. 'There have been ups and down in political relations but more or less, relations remained good and both countries always supported each other on different international issues, he added. He said that due to peculiar situation in the region, it was needed that if there is some irritant or some wrinkles in the relationship, they should be removed.

MD APP, expressing his views, said that situation of Afghanistan, Middle East and border issues would also be discussed between Iran and Pakistan during Prime Minister's Iran visit. He said Iran and Pakistan have very strong people-to-people contacts. He noted that people-to-people contact is of great strength for the two countries to be closer and to have a united stand on national and international issues.

About Iran-Pak trade ties, he said the bilateral trade is another important aspect of these ties. 'Looking at the team which Prime Minister is taking to Iran, one could hope that some bilateral agreements on enhancing trade would be worked out,' said Qamarullah Chaudhry. The APP MD said that exchange of high level delegations always bring the countries together and enhance their cooperation, besides minimizing chances of irritants. Stressing media cooperation, he said that world has now become a global city in which media play a very important role. He noted that information has started passing out so quickly and social media tools have made everything instant, across the world.

He was of the view that now-a-days, more stress is being given to digitalization of the media and now the survival of big media houses like news agencies, depends on their interaction and close cooperation with other news agencies. 'Cooperation between IRNA and APP is very important and IRNA has been trying to sign a fresh...