By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani political analysts on Friday lauded the election process in Iran and said that it truly reflects the democratic spirit.
Talking to IRNA, with a reference to the upcoming presidential elections in Iran, they said that people are free to vote in Iran.
Expressing his views, former Secretary General of Foreign Affairs M Akram Zaki said that who so ever wins the election, will be respectable and acceptable for the people of Pakistan; it will be the decision of Iranian nation.
“Iran is the closest friend of Pakistan and Pak-Iran friendship is very important for the peace and stability of the region”, he added.
He said that Pakistan is the well wisher of Iran and will always want to see Iran as a prosperous country.
“Iran has displayed a strong electoral process and did not postpone the elections even in Iran-Iraq war”, said Akram Zaki.
He said that the Iranian government respects the wishes of its public which shows that Iran is a true democratic state.
Pakistani political and defence analyst Prof. Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi viewed that Iranian electoral process is well established by now because Iran has held elections at different levels on several occasions since the revolution.
“Elections were also held while Iraq’s war on Iran was continuing”, he said.
He added that after the revolution people of Iran got the government of their own choice.
“We expect that the presidential elections will be fare and of the level acceptable at the international level”, Rizvi added.
Expressing his views on Pak-Iran relations, the analyst said that Iran’s relations with Pakistan are based on mutual understanding shaped by geography.
“The role of president is critical in shaping Iran’s domestic and foreign policy”, he viewed.
Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi said that Iranian presidential elections will be observed in Pakistan with keen interest.