Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani arrived in Tehran on an official visit to Iran to hold talks with its leadership on ways and means to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields especially economy and trade.
The prime minister was received at the airport by Iranian Minister for Interior Mostafa Muhammad Najar and senior officials. Gilani was accorded warm red carpet welcome as he alighted from his special plane. He is visiting Tehran at the invitation of Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi.
Besides talks with Reza Rahimi, Prime Minister Gilani will meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. The Foreign Office said that the prime minister would hold in depth discussions with the Iranian leadership on strengthening bilateral relations and would exchange views on regional situation.
Ties of the two countries are now marked by increased frequency of high level contacts, with both sides realizing the opportunities available to them as neighbours enjoying affinity based on common religion, culture and history. During talks, the two sides will focus on areas of security, industry, banking, trade, agriculture, oil and gas, transportation, communication, information and broadcasting, culture, science and education.
The 7.5 billion dollar Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project will remain one of the top agenda of the parleys. The pipeline is being built between Asalooyeh in Southern Iran and Iranshahr near the border with Pakistan to carry gas from Iran’s South Pars field to Punjab and Sindh provinces.
Pakistan is looking for financing for construction of pipeline in its territory, which is expected to cost 1.5 billion. Iran is expected to begin supplying gas to Pakistan by middle of 2014 with daily sales of 750 million cubic feet reaching one billion cubic feet per day by mid 2015.
Pakistan has proposed a bilateral Free Trade Agreement besides measures for economic integration and reduction in business transaction costs. Iran has expressed its keenness for opening of bank branches in each other’s countries and negotiations are continuing on these issues. At present Iran has annual trade volume of $150 billion mainly with the western countries including US and European Union.
Tehran has given its nod to review all tariff and non-tariff barriers on exports of Pakistan to Iran. Both countries also plan to sign a memorandum of understanding to stop money laundering with cooperation between their Financial Intelligence Units. The two countries are also considering building of Quetta-Taftan railway track, establishment of border markets and linking through optic fibre to boost commercial activities.
