Tazeen Akhtar
Iran and Pakistan, despite sanctions on Iran, despite restrictions of COVID-19 succeeded to register the unprecedented record of two billion and two hundred million dollars ($2.2 billion) in the amount of trade volume between two neighboring countries. Two countries opened two official border crossings after 73 years, agreed on the construction of 6 new border markets , completed first phase of the electricity transmission project to Pakistan, launched I.T.I cargo train (from Islamabad to Tehran and Istanbul).
The information has been shared by Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini at a special meeting with Pakistani journalists that he hosted at the completion of his tenure in Islamabad. He termed it as a big leap forward in bilateral relations and no doubt it is a great achievement. Mr. Hosseini deserves applaud for his efforts to take the ties to new height during his period of mission.
From Pakistani side, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman Defense Committee of Senate was chief guest and he also addressed the gathering. Former ambassador of Pakistan Asif Ali Durrani was also present.
Ambassador in his address noted, “For a long time, the Islamic Republic of Iran has strengthened its relations with the neighbouring, brotherly and friendly country of Pakistan in line with its policy of close relationship with its neighbors, and still now, this goal is being followed up nonstop and despite the obstacles.”
H.E Mohammad Ali Hosseini: Iran Ready to Supply Gas & Electricity to Pakistan – Flights Should be Increased – Important Energy Project will be Accomplished Soon
“During my mission in the neighboring and brotherly country of Pakistan, despite the illegal and unfair sanctions against my country, and despite the restrictions that the spread of pandemics imposed on all of us, we witnessed great progress and developments in the various aspects of our relations with Pakistan including political, economic, security and trade, Ambassador added.
H.E shed light on different aspects of mutual relations and cooperation. He rightly said that in the political field, high-level political exchanges and consultations and close cooperation in regional developments, kept a reasonable pace and continued appropriately.
In the economic field, the lack of banking and financial channel, on the one hand, the all-out economic pressures against the two countries, on the other hand and also the pandemics, could have lead to an unprecedented decline and stagnation in the field of commercial and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador said, “The great determination and efforts made by the authorities of the two countries and the great efforts of my colleagues in the Islamic Republic of Iran embassy and back in Tehran, we were able to prevent the decline and stagnation in the volume of exchanges between the two countries, and most importantly to register the unprecedented record of two billion and two hundred million dollars ($2.2 billion) in the amount of trade volume between Iran and Pakistan.”
It is heartening to see that great progress has been made in other fields of cooperation including cultural, scientific, defense and security. In the current situation, priority should be given to the use of existing capacities and possibilities in the economic field, tourism and mutual investment.
The capacities of the commonalities and links in the various areas of history, civilization, language, religion, geography, culture and so on should be availed for the betterment of the life of the people and for the development of the indigenous region which is a homeland to all of us and our next generations.
“I would like to express my gratitude for the dedications and supports, cooperation and contributions made to the development of the relations between the two brotherly countries of Iran and Pakistan by you all the distinguished media members, Ambassador concluded.
