Pakistan & Iran enjoy multi dimensional relations: Maulana Asad Mahmood

ISLAMABAD, June 16 (SABAH): Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Maulana Asad Mahmood has said that Pakistan and Iran enjoy multi dimensional relations. Pakistan highly values its friendly and brotherly relationship with neighboring country Iran which are time tested. We have complete trust, mutual understanding and convergence of views on all bilateral, regional and international issues.
He expressed these views while meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Seyed Muhammad Ali Hosseini in Ministry of Communications here on Thursday. Secretary Communications/Chairman National Highway Authority Captain (retd) Muhammad Khuram Agha and other senior officers of Ministry of Communications & National Highway Authority were also present.

Maulana Asad Mahmood said, although current trade volume between the two countries is low to the tune of approx 1 million US$. However, Pakistan is committed to take all possible measures to increase the bilateral trade volume to the level of US $ 5 billion. To increase the bilateral trade, an additional border crossing point at Gabd (near to Gwadar)-Reemdan has recently been operationalized by Pakistan. The purpose of agreement on International Transport between Pakistan and Iran aims to facilitate trade traffic from Turkey to Pakistan through Iran, while Iranian goods and passengers can have access to China through Pakistan. Pakistan may have the benefits of access to other Central Asians Republics and Europe through Turkey with operationalization of this agreement.

Asad Mahmood further said, Quetta-Taftan Road is trafficable, however for further improvement of road various, projects are being undertaken. Asad Mahmood stressed upon the need of making visa conditions easier to facilitate the Pakistani traders and visitors.

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Seyed Muhammad Ali Hosseini said, Iran–Pakistan are bound in age old cultural, religious and linguistic similarities. Trade and economic cooperation between the two brother countries need to be enhanced. The implementation of trade agreements will bring both the countries more closer. Speaking about the transportation and road infrastructure, the visiting guest said, Iran desires to upgrade routes linking both the countries as per international standards to facilitate the commercial activity and movement of passengers. Exchange of experts from both the sides is an imperative to solve the issues and to ensure mutual development in various sectors, he added.