KARACHI: A 15-member Iranian delegation, led by Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Najjar, called on Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at the Bilawal House on Saturday, a statement said.

They discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, and the situation Pakistan is faced with because of the recent floods.

The delegation informed the president that the Iranian nation would support the Pakistanis in their hour of need.

Iran has pledged to provide $10 million, around $1.3 million of which has already been delivered, the delegation said. The delegation, which arrived in the city from Islamabad, was also given an aerial view of the flood-affected areas of Thatta district.

Representatives of the Iranian supreme leader – Hujatul Islam Rahimian and Ansarian – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Fatollahi, Iranian Red Crescent Society Head Dr Faghi, Iranian Disaster Management Organisation Head Bagheri and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mashallah Shakri were the part of the delegation.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik later told reporters that the delegation was in the city on behalf of the Iranian president and the Iranian supreme leader to evaluate the magnitude of the disaster and determine how the Pakistanis could be helped.

The current requirements include tents and clean drinking water, the provision of which is being managed, he added.

Najjar said the people and the government of Iran were mobilised from day one of the floods in Pakistan. The Iranian president is keen to visit Pakistan, he added. app