OUR STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD - Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek Wednesday said that the level of trade between Pakistan and Iran would be raised up to US $4 billion from US $1 billion by 2015 and Parliament would provide full support to the initiatives aimed at achieving the target. He gave these remarks while speaking at a luncheon hosted by him in honour of Dr Mahmoud Salahi, Governor General of Khorasan Razavi, a province of Iran, and members of his delegation at Parliament House. The Chairman Senate addressing the delegation said they had brought a strong business delegation, which was a demonstration of trust and confidence of Iranian business community into Pakistans economy. Pakistan, despite some challenges, is a market worthy of investment with good returns. Our human and natural resources are available for mutually beneficial business ventures, he added. He further said the current level of trade between Pakistan and Iran stands around US$ 1b. The two countries have committed to raise it to US$ 4b by 2015. This is not a difficult target. The businessmen of two sides can and must achieve this goal. We, the parliamentarians, will provide full support to the initiatives aimed at achieving the target. Farooq H Naek said that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed centuries old bonds of friendship and history. We are not only geographically linked with each other but are bound together in culture, religion, ethnicity and traditions since times immemorial, he said, adding that they also shared aspirations for a prosperous future for the people of their countries as well as the whole region. The Chairman said the parliamentarians of Pakistan and Iran had an important and vital role to further promote and strengthen the bilateral relationship. He said that business communities had their own role and responsibility, which they must fulfil and enhance the economic content of the relationship. Frequent and regular interactions between the businessmen and also the parliamentarians must be part of the broader foreign policy contours. of the two countries, he suggested. He viewed that Pakistan and Iran must work together to promote cooperation and development in the region as well as unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah. As part of our religious duties, we have always raised and must continue to raise our voices for the people of Kashmir, Palestine, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Chairman Senate said that terrorism was a menace that had affected both the countries. Pakistan has suffered a lot and paid huge price in fighting this menace, he said retreating his resolve that they would fight this menace of terrorism to its very end not only for their own sake but also for entire humanity. Dr Mahmoud Salahi, Governor General of Khorasan, while reciprocating the gesture, said he was pleased to visit brotherly country of Pakistan, particularly the Senate of Pakistan. He observed that close and cordial relations between Pakistan and Iran would be strengthened further with the passage of time. The Governor General of Khorasan Razavi Province also discussed matters of mutual interest with Chairman Senate.