ISLAMABAD, June 30: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned that enemies are trying to harm relations between Pakistan and Iran and they must not be allowed to do so.

Talking to Minister for Finance Syed Naveed Qamar, who called on him in Tehran on Monday, the Iranian president said the Iran-Pakistan India (IPI) gas pipeline project would be finalised soon.

According to a message issued by the ministry of finance, Mr Ahmadinejad said the Joint Economic Commission was a proper forum to expand bilateral economic relations and suggested that the scope of the body should be enlarged to include all sectors with main special emphasis on energy, technology transfer, culture and health and education.

He said that Pakistan should benefit from the expertise Iran had achieved in certain sectors. “Progress of Pakistan is dear to Iran and Iran remains grateful to Pakistan for its support.”

Finance Minister Qamar said Pakistan considered Iran as its “true brotherly neighbour” and informed the president that the ongoing JEC would try to further enhance cooperation in all sectors.

During his two-day stay in Tehran, Mr Qamar held meetings with the Iranian ministers of interior, commerce, finance and petroleum. He said Pakistan had always supported Iran in all international and regional forums and would continue to do so.

The Iranian president expressed sorrow over the death of Benazir Bhutto and asked Mr Qamar to convey his condolences to PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

The 17th session of the Iran-Pakistan JEC concluded on Sunday. The Pakistani side was led by Mr Qamar and the Iranian side by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

Four documents of cooperation were signed at the meeting.