LAHORE, Jan 7: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says Iran is a brotherly country and there are historic and cultural ties between the two countries which will further strengthen with the passage of time.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Iranian Consul General Saied Kharazi at Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on Wednesday, says a handout.

He said Iran had supported Pakistan in every time of distress and Pakistanis considered Iran as their second homeland.

“There are vast prospects of cooperation between Punjab and Iran in various sectors, and Iran can provide assistance in energy generation from coal, livestock, agriculture and other sectors.”

He said Pakistan was facing an energy crisis which was leaving a negative impact on industry, agriculture and other sectors, while the government was taking steps to solve the problem. He said Iran had expertise in generating energy from coal, therefore, it should provide cooperation in this regard.

The CM said there were also prospects of cooperation in generating energy from hydel power, agriculture, livestock and dairy development sectors.

He said the people of Punjab were waiting for the visit of the Khorasan governor.

Earlier, Iranian Consul General Saied Kharazi said the Khorasan governor would visit Punjab next week. The governor would also meet office-bearers of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said the delegation would hold meetings with the secretaries of various departments to review cooperation in various sectors, besides signing MoUs between Punjab and Khorasan.