PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of strengthening the cordial and cooperative ties between Iran and Pakistan, especially in the economic and energy sectors. The former Prime Minister made these remarks during the courtesy Call on him by Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Ali Reza Haghighian in Islamabad, on Wednesday. During the course of their warm and cordial exchanges, Mr. Nawaz Sharif spoke of his visits to Tehran and his deep abiding friendship with the Iranian leaders. He added that he viewed Iran as an important neighbor of Pakistan with which Pakistan has many historic linkages. In this context, he also lauded the successful holding of non-aligned Movement Summit in Tehran last month, which had added to the Movement's influence and credibility. The Iranian Ambassador thanked Mr.Nawaz Sharif for his expression of support for strengthening relations between the two countries and recalled many initiatives taken by him to achieve these objectives. He also pointed out that the Iranian province of Khurramshehar and Punjab had "sister city" relationship and therefore the focus of efforts to strengthen economic and commercial relationship between them.