PR. No.074/2008

Date: 01/04/2008

FORIEGN MINISTER OF IRAN CALLS FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI

The Foreign Minister of Iran, Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, telephoned Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi to congratulate him on assumption of office as Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi thanked Foreign Minister of Iran for the telephone call. He also thanked him for signing the condolence book at Peoples' Secretariat on the national tragedy of shahadat of former Prime Minister Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto. The people of Pakistan greatly valued the gesture shown by the Government of Iran on the shahadat of their leader.

The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan 's position that as a member of the NPT Iran has the right to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Also, Pakistan believes that the issue should be addressed within the framework of IAEA.

he Foreign Minister also said that Pakistan is committed to IPI gas pipeline project as it was important for Pakistan 's economy. He expressed the hope that all concerned will reach an agreement on early commencement of the project.

Islamabad

01 April 2008