Pak Iran Leaders Jointly Inaugurate Market and Electricity Projects at Common Border

Islamabad: May 18, 2023 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, President of Iran, Seyed Ebrahim Raisi jointly  inaugurated  Mand-Pishin Border Sustenance Marketplace and Polan-Gabd Electricity Transmission Line  at Mand-Pishin border crossing point on Thursday, 18 May 2023.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif  President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, in their meeting,  discussed all aspects of bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties.

The Mand-Pishin Border Sustenance Marketplace is one of the six border markets to be constructed along the Pakistan-Iran border as agreed under the MoU signed on 21st April 2021. The border markets are envisaged along the Pakistan-Iran border to facilitate the people on both sides of the border with enhanced cross-border trade, fostering economic growth and opening up of new avenues of opportunity for local businesses.

The Polan-Gabd Electricity Transmission Line plays a pivotal role in meeting the energy needs of the region, including households and businesses, by bringing-in additional 100 MW electricity from Iran.The Polan-Gabd Electricity Transmission Line has been developed in implementation of the agreement signed between the two governments during the visit of Federal Minister for Energy to Iran in July last year. This transmission line will supplement the electricity being purchased from Iran for the border Makran region via the 132 KV Makran Division electricity transmission line. The additional 100 MW electricity via Polan-Gabd will help offset the energy needs of households and businesses in the Balochistan province.

The joint inauguration is a manifestation of the strong commitment of Pakistan and Iran to uplift welfare of residents of the neighboring provinces of Balochistan and Sistan-o-Baluchestan, respectively. It also serves as a significant stride forward in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan in a briefing on 18 May said, ” Pakistan considers the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project as an important project that symbolizes friendship between Pakistan and our neighbor, Iran. We remain committed to this project. There are some issues regarding its completion for which both countries are engaged in talks. We will continue to discuss with Iran all aspects of the completion of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. Our consultations and conversations are ongoing .”