IRNA - Deputy Chairman of Pakistan�s Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz says strengthening economics and people-to-people links between Iran and Pakistan will result in a fruitful relationship beneficial to the people of both sides.

He was speaking at a public talk on �70 Years of Pakistan-Iran Relations and Future Prospects� at Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad on Monday.

Aziz spoke about how Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan and 70 years later, the common objective of both Iran and Pakistan is the unity and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.

The official added that the heart of diplomacy is in geo-economics, hence trade and investment should be increased.

Aziz added that people of Pakistan attach great importance to ties with Iran.

�In this regard, both countries should improve their facilities and common links through both land and sea,� Sartaj Aziz said.

He added that time has come that Pakistan should deepen economic ties with Iran.

Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood spoke about how apart from the cultural and ethnic commonalities, Pakistan and Iran also have several other areas of potential mutual cooperation such as the economy, energy, and health.

�This trend comes at a time when a wave of economic integration is sweeping the region,� he said.

He added as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) gathers steam, there is no reason 'why we cannot achieve the $5 billion target of bilateral trade.

He went on to say that the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) should be made more relevant and effective and member countries should do more in this regard.

Ambassador Mahmood said that 76% of the Pakistani people have a favorable view of Iran and 'we need to value and build upon this'.