ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met with Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran parliament, and discussed with him bilateral trade and economic development among other affairs, Sharif’s office said.

Pakistan and Iran, which have remained at odds over instability along their shared border, plan to raise their bilateral trade to $10 billion from the existing around $3 billion.

The two countries have exchanged several agreements, memorandums of understanding for bilateral cooperation in diverse fields during high-level interactions in recent months.

During his meeting with Speaker Ghalibaf, PM Sharif said Pakistan and Iran share the resolve of global peace, prosperity and positive cooperation and are determined to work in cohesion and cooperation for the Muslim world.

“Pakistan is eager to foster cooperation in the fields of mutual interest, including economic development and bilateral trade,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.

Speaker Ghalibaf expressed his gratitude to the prime minister and the people of Pakistan for their support in the Iran-Israel conflict in June.

“The support shown by Pakistan in the 12-day war is deeply appreciated and cherished by the people of Iran,” he was quoted as saying by Sharif’s office.

“Iran and Pakistan firmly believe in the unity of Muslim Ummah and in the message of global peace.”

Expressing special gratitude to the Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the Iranian speaker cherished the positive and robust cooperation between parliaments of both countries.

He expressed Iran’s commitment to further enhance bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.