Iran, Pakistan explore ways to enhance bilateral ties

President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have exchanged views on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two neighboring countries, especially in commercial, economic and border fields.

During a meeting in the Mand-Pishin border crossing on Thursday, the two sides stressed the need to keep up the exchange of high-level delegations between Tehran and Islamabad as well as mutual efforts to increase the volume of bilateral trade.

The meeting came after Raeisi and Sharif jointly inaugurated a major border sustenance marketplace and an electricity transmission line.

Speaking at the joint news conference with the Iranian President on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Polan-Gabad electricity transmission line on Thursday Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the joint cooperation inaugurated today is a new chapter between the two countries, and said: "We have no doubt that Iran and Pakistan are brothers and their relations are more than just neighbors, they have kinship relations."

The Pakistani PM further considered the establishment of border markets between the two countries as the beginning of a new era of making efforts for the development of the region and added that the inauguration of the electricity transmission line is also a source of great pleasure, and appreciated the Minister of Energy and the Iranian staff involved in the implementation of this project.

President Raeisi also called historic ties between the two sides as exemplary.

The President expressed his happiness over the increasing ties between Iran and Pakistan as well as praising today as the time of manifestation of boosting cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

He further went on to refer to the deeply rooted ties in the field of common beliefs, culture, religious affairs and as well as civilization-based matters.

Calling the ties between Pakistan and Iran exemplary, President Raeisi praised Pakistan as a nation with deep understanding, civilization, and interest in the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

President  Raeisi then stated that the different levels of ties and relations have been existing between the two sides in various fields and it is being promoted and improved day by day.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the joint inauguration as “a manifestation of the strong commitment of Pakistan and Iran to uplift welfare of residents of the neighboring provinces of Balochistan and Sistan and Baluchestan, respectively.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, it said that the Mand-Pishin marketplace would be one of the six border markets to be constructed along its border with Iran, and will provide a thriving platform for cross-border trade and new avenues of opportunity for local businesses. 

The ministry also noted that the Polan-Gabd Electricity Transmission Line will play a pivotal role in meeting the energy needs of the region by bringing in additional 100 MW electricity from Iran.

SS