Pakistan, Iran to give impetus to gas pipeline project

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that there was a lot of scope of increasing trade volume and Pakistan wanted to enhance the trade to new levels of $5 billion.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Iran President Hassan Rohani at Saadabad palace in Tehran on Sunday.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that there was a lot of scope of increasing trade volume and Pakistan wanted to enhance the trade to new levels of $5 billion.

The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project was also discussed in the meeting and both leaders agreed to continue with the project as it was beneficial for the people of countries.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told his Iranian counterpart that he came here with his team of finance, petroleum and interior advisers to resolve all matters which were creating hindrance in the project.

Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan-Iran relations were bound by historical and religious linkages. “I am here to open a new page in Pakistan-Iran relationships,” Sharif added. “As a prime minister I first visited Iran in 1999 and have always found the Iranian side more affectionate on every successive visit,” Sharif said.

President Rohani said that Pakistan-Iran relations have historical connection. “Apart from being neighbouring countries, we both are Muslim countries having the common traditions and relations based on Holy Quran and the traditions of our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit would further boost the brotherly relations between the two countries,” added President Rohani.

Sharif said that some miscreant elements were trying to sabotage the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran. “We will deal with all such elements firmly and not let them sabotage our relations,” he added.

Sharif said that “we want security of development and development for security”. President Rohani also affirmed his government’s support, adding that peace in the region is our common goal. He added that Iran will support Pakistan to develop and become secure. Both leaders also discussed the border security matters between the two countries and agreed that better border management and improved security measures would result in increased bilateral trade and strengthen relationship and cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Sharif extended invitation to President Rohani to visit Pakistan, which the Iran president accepted.

Later, the Iranian president hosted a luncheon in honour of the prime minister and the visiting delegation.

The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Balochistan Governor Mahmood Khan Achakzai, adviser to prime minister on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz and special assistant to prime minister Tariq Fatimi.

Earlier upon arrival Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was given a warm welcome at Mehrabad International Airport. He was received by Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayyabnia.

The official welcoming ceremony was held at Saadabad Palace where a smartly turned out contingent gave guard of honour to Prime Minister Sharif. The Prime Minister also held a meeting with the First Vice President of Iran Eshaq Jehangiri. Matters of mutual and bilateral interest were discussed during the meeting.