The Pakistan-Iran Joint Commission on Road Transportation on Tuesday recommended the two countries open two additional international crossing points at Pishin-Mand and Gabd-Reemdan for the promotion of bilateral trade and commerce. The joint recommendations were signed at the concluding session of the 7th Pakistan-Iran Joint Commission on Road Transportation. The two sides discussed the problems being faced by transporters and traders at the crossing point of Taftan-Mirjaveh and agreed to resolve them amicably.
The meeting recommended visa abolition for truck and bus drivers as a measure to facilitate the promotion of people-to-people contact and economic activity between the two countries.
It was decided that the National Logistics Cell (NLC) would establish a modern border terminal at Taftan. Both sides agreed on working hours from 7 am to 7 pm to facilitate the pilgrims at Taftan-Mirjaveh border.
The Pakistani side told the meeting that the National Highway Authority (NHA) had spent Rs 2.3 Billion in last three years for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the 605km-Quetta-Taftan Highway (N-40), and planned to upgrade the road to international standards in the near future. It was decided that NHA would set up three rest areas at Taftan, Yakmach and Padak along the Quetta-Taftan Road for convenience of travellers.
The two sides also agreed to coordinate efforts to curb human trafficking and the issuance of fake passports and visas. The Iranian side assured Pakistan of expediting the process of ratification of the International Road Transport Agreement (2008) between Pakistan-Iran and complete it within the next two months. Pakistan has already ratified the document. Senior Commerce Joint Secretary Abdul Basit headed the 12-member Pakistani delegation, which included representatives of the Foreign Office, Interior Ministry, Commerce Ministry, NLC, Customs, NHA, Ministry of Communications and Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The seven-member Iranian delegation was headed by Ali Reza Mujarrad, director general of transportation and terminal.
