Pakistan, Iran vow to expeditiously pursue joint mega projects

By Shafek Koreshe

      TEHRAN, Aug 30 (APP): The leadership of Pakistan and Iran
Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to expeditiously complete work
on the several joint mega projects, including the multi-billion
dollar Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, electricity transmission lines
and road links.
      During meeting of President Asif Ali Zardari and his Iranian
counterpart President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad here on the sidelines of
the 16th NAM Summit, the two sides discussed matters relating to
further cementing bilateral relations, mutual cooperation and
the regional situation.
      President Zardari expressed his deepest condolences to the
Iranian President over the losses that Iran suffered recently due to
the earthquake.
      The President while expressing sympathy with the Iranian
people especially the bereaved families over the loss of precious
lives, said the resilient Iranian people will overcome this
adversity in keeping with its glorious traditions.
      He said that Pakistan was ready to provide all possible help
to the Iranian brethren to overcome the effects of this disaster.
      The President congratulated his counterpart on holding of a
successful Summit and expressed the hope that it would contribute
significantly in creating better understanding of the challenges
confronted by the region and the participating countries.
      While discussing bilateral relations, the President noted with
satisfaction the upward trajectory of the mutual relations and
stressed upon creating viable linkages in the areas of trade and
investment, energy and connectivity to bring the two people further
closer.
      He said that greater interaction between the leadership and
the people of the two countries would not only strengthen their
historical, cultural and religious bonds but would also help to
benefit from each other's resources and expertise.
      The President said there was tremendous potential of trade
between the two countries and effective steps needed to be taken to
realize the targets that have been set.
      He said the current volume of trade between the two countries
was far below the existing potential.
      The President said that there was a need to remove tariff and
non-tariff barriers and identify alternative arrangements to expand
the bilateral trade.
      In this regard the President said that under the barter trade
agreement his country looked forward to exporting one million tons
of wheat for urea from Iran.
      During the meeting, the two sides also reviewed progress on
the mega projects, including the Iran-Pakistan Gas pipeline, the
1000 MW Taftan-Quetta power transmission line; the 100 MW Gwadar
power supply project; construction of Noshki-Dalbandin section of
Quetta-Taftan Highway and up-gradation of the Quetta-Taftan Railway
Track.
      The leadership also discussed issues related to visa
facilitation and opening of the new border posts at Mand-Pishin and
Gabd-Rimdan to connect Karachi and Gawadar with Chah Bahar and
Bandar Abbas through the Coastal Highway.
      There was unanimity of views on the need to enhance
cooperation in the security fields including control of trans-border
crimes and movement of narcotic drugs.
      The two sides also agreed in principle to operate new flights
between Islamabad and Tehran; Peshawar and Mashhad; and Quetta and
Gilgit to Mashhad, details of which would be mutually agreed by the
relevant authorities.
      President Zardari and President Ahmedinejad also agreed upon
timely implementation of the decisions reached during Trilateral
Summit.
      Regional situation especially that of Afghanistan and Syria
also came under discussion.
      President Zardari said Pakistan was deeply concerned over the
fast deteriorating situation in Syria and believed that stability
was important for peace in the region and beyond.
      He said Pakistan desired immediate end to the bloodshed in
Syria and would continue advocating principles of non intervention
and non interference in the internal affairs of states.
      On Afghanistan, the President reiterated Pakistan's principled
stance of supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation
process.
      Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Interior Minister Rehman
Malik and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also attended the
meeting.