Iran, Pakistan share historical, cultural ties: PM Ashraf
20 September, 2012
ISLAMABAD: Welcoming a delegation of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation (IKRF) on Wednesday, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Iran and Pakistan were good neighbours and they shared historical, cultural and religious ties. A six-member delegation led by Hossein Anvari called on the prime minister at the Prime Minister's House. Anvari briefed the prime minister on the history, objectives and working of IKRF. He informed the prime minister that IKRF was the first organisation established by the Iranian spiritual leader Ayatullah Khomeini soon after the revolution. He said that IKRF was not owned by the government of Iran but enjoyed its support. "The representative of the spiritual leader normally heads the organisation," he added. Speaking about the objectives of the organisation, Anvari said that it encouraged Islamic values and especially family values, which included encouraging education and helping widows and children. He informed Raja that during a visit to Iran, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Farzana Raja had agreed to enhancing co-operation with IKRF and establishing training and vocational centres in Pakistan. He said that during his present visit, the IKRF and BISP had agreed on a memorandum of understanding to share their experiences. The IKRF delegation also had the opportunity to witness the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan, he said. The prime minister welcomed the cooperation between the IKRF and the BISP. He expressed hope that IKRF would work together with BISP to further their shared objective of providing relief to those who really needed it. The prime minister also held a meeting with Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Sumsam Ali Bokhari and MPA Ashraf Sohna, who called on him at the Prime Minister's House. Speaking about the steps the government had taken about anti-Islam content on the Web, he said as Muslims respected all religions and their religious leaders, and blasphemous material against the peaceful religion of Islam would not be tolerated. Bokhari and Sohna appreciated the steps taken by the government, including the blocking of YouTube. End.
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