By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Director General of the Cultural Centre at the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Asghar Masoudi, on Wednesday called for strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and Iran during these difficult times. He stressed the need to operationalise the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline and proposed the establishment of an oil pipeline between the two countries in order to minimise Pakistan’s dependence on sea-based oil supply.
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Dr. Masoudi expressed these views while speaking to a delegation led by Pakistan Peoples Party Lahore President Faisal Mir, which visited Khana-e-Farhang Iran in Lahore to offer condolences on the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran’s Security Chief Ali Larijani. He assured the delegation that Iran would fully support Pakistan in ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of gas and petroleum.
During the meeting, Dr. Masoudi stated that the United States had committed a grave mistake by assassinating Larijani, describing him as a seasoned statesman who had the potential to play a pivotal role in bringing peace and stability to the region. He emphasised that Iran would not stop Pakistani ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, offering reassurance to Pakistan amid regional tensions.
Commenting on United States President Donald Trump, Masoudi described him as an irrational leader and remarked that the only notable outcome of the ongoing conflict attributed to his policies has been a sharp rise in petroleum prices across the world. He noted that Larijani, before his death, had written a letter in which he made clear that those who are not with Iran are considered to be with the enemy, adding that the Muslim world had not adequately stood by Iran in its time of need.
Dr. Masoudi further clarified that Iran’s military strikes were directed solely at American bases and not at any Islamic country, pointing out that it was these bases that had been attacking Iran and killing its people. He stated that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz and that no country appeared willing to extend support to Trump in this conflict.
On a lighter note, Dr. Masoudi praised senior journalist Hamid Mir, who is the brother of Faisal Mir, for his journalistic contributions and commended him for educating the public about the ground realities of the war through his columns. He also paid tribute to the late Waris Mir, a renowned writer and the father of Faisal Mir, acknowledging his lifelong efforts to promote democratic values through his literary work.
Dr. Masoudi also praised Pakistan Peoples Party President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for standing firmly with Iran and the Iranian people during these challenging times.
Speaking on the occasion, PPP Lahore President Faisal Mir paid tribute to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late Security Chief Ali Larijani for their significant contributions to strengthening Iran and fostering friendly relations with Pakistan. He expressed confidence that when the PPP returns to power, it would take concrete steps to construct an oil pipeline between Pakistan and Iran, following the precedent set by President Asif Ali Zardari, who had previously initiated the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project.
Faisal Mir also shared fond memories from his student life, recalling how he and his brother Hamid Mir used to visit the library at Khana-e-Farhang Iran. He further recalled the assassination of Sadeq Ganji, the former Director of the Iranian Cultural Centre in Lahore, and noted that as a student leader at the time, he had led a protest outside the centre in response to that tragic incident.
The delegation included PPP Lahore Vice President Amir Nasir Butt, Deputy General Secretary Khurram Farooq, Model Town President Afraz Naqvi and Deputy Information Secretary Hassan Abbas
