FM Bilawal arrives in Tehran to meet Iranian leadership

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday reached Tehran on his maiden two-day official visit to the country's Persian Gulf neighbour. 

During his visit, the foreign minister will hold talks with the Iranian leadership on the spectrum of bilateral relations.

He will also hold delegation-level talks with his Iranian counterpart and the two sides will review all facets of bilateral relations, including trade and economic ties, electricity supply from Iran, border sustenance markets, road and rail connectivity and facilitation of Zaireen.

Iran is currently supplying electricity to Gwadar and Pakistan is keen to further enhance that cooperation. The country is currently in the grip of energy shortages, causing long power outages.

Read Pakistan requests Iran to increase electricity exports to Balochistan

But there has been no mention of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project that was signed during the Pakistan People Party’s (PPP) term between 2008 and 2013. Iran has completed work on its side of the border but Pakistan could not undertake the project, fearing the US economic sanctions

Pakistan and Iran are celebrating seventy-five years of establishment of diplomatic ties this year.

Bilawal is undertaking the visit at the invitation of Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Amir Abdollahian.