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Summary Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday signed three MoUs to promote economic cooperation.
The MoUs were signed by Iran’s Vice President for International Affairs Ali Seedlou and Pakistani advisor to the Prime Minister on finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, at the conclusion of bilateral consultations in Islamabad.Abdul Hafeez Sheikh on the occasion said that the MoUs related to timely completion of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, import of electricity from Iran and encouraging private sector of the two countries.“Both sides also agreed to explore more avenues to increase bilateral trade to $ 5 billion mark,” the adviser said.Iranian delegation was led by Iran’s Vice President for International Affairs Ali Seedlou while Pakistani side was led by Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.A number of Deputy Ministers from different sectors represented the Iranian side.Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said that Iran and Pakistan have expressed the resolve to remove obstacles impeding trade.He added that the two sides reviewed bilateral economic relations including commerce, transport and communication, energy, railways and oil and gas sectors.Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani are committed to bringing Iran and Pakistan closer. “Our trade volume will cross 5 billion dollars benchmark in times to come,” said the advisor.Iran’s Vice President for International Affairs Ali Seedlou expressed gratitude for the hospitality of Pakistan.He stressed the need for enhancing the cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in the fields of economy and development.He said that Iran and Pakistan are bonded in the eternal ties of religion, culture and history. Two great nations are capable and have the capacity to work for the well being of the region.Ali Seedlou added that Iran has already completed its portion of gas pipeline project and is also ready to assist Pakistan in building Pakistani part of the project.“The project will bring prosperity in the region and would further strengthen Iran-Pakistan ties,” he noted.He said Iran had extended 100-million-dollar assistance to Pakistan’s flood-stricken people and is ready to start more projects for the welfare of the Pakistan people.Pointing to the upcoming visit to Pakistan of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he said Tehran has no restrictions for expansion of ties with Islamabad.--Online
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