Iran presses for early completion of IP pipeline

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian hold talks with FM Bilawal and PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD:

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian called for an early completion of long-delayed Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project as he began his three-day visit to Pakistan on Thursday.

Amirabdollahian held formal talks with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his maiden visit to the neighbouring country as the foreign minister.

During the talks at the Foreign Office, the two sides discussed the wide-range of issues covering bilateral ties and regional and international issues. The two foreign ministers agreed to increase the bilateral trade to $5 billion.

At a joint news conference, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian said he held constructive talks with his Pakistani counterpart about the IP gas pipeline project.

He added that Iran believed that the completion of this pipeline was in line with the interests of the two nations, and that Tehran was ready to finalise it as soon as possible.

The project, of which India was also part of it initially, was supposed to complete by December 2014. Iran has completed work on its side of the border. However, Pakistan has yet to initiate work on its side.

The reason Pakistan has so far been reluctant to go ahead with the project is because of the fears of international sanctions and other geo-strategic compulsions.

However, observers believe that with Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement, there is a possibility that the IP project may see light at the end of tunnel.

At the joint news conference, Foreign Minister Bilawal told reporters that the two sides agreed on a five-year trade plan under which the bilateral trade would be increased to $5 billion.

Amirabdollahian said that the two sides discussed monetary and banking problems between the two countries and the ways to resolving those in accordance with the international law.

The current Afghanistan situation was also a key talking point. Amirabdollahian said that any developments in Afghanistan would impact the neighbours. He stressed that the solution to the Afghan problem lied in the “regional approach”.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, the Iranian foreign minister said that Tehran believed that war was not a solution to the crisis in Ukraine, and considered further arming of Ukraine by the US and Western countries worrying.

Bilawal referred to the opening of the Pishin-Mand border crossing market between the two neighbours and termed the project of transfering electricity from Iran to Pakistan a sign of improved bilateral relations.

These projects, he pointed out, showed the collective commitment of the two countries to find solutions for their benefit, adding that the first step was the development of multi-dimensional relations, especially economic ties.

Bilawal went on to say that schools, hospitals, and many other places were lit in Quetta thanks to Iran’s electricity supply.

The two foreign ministers also agreed to make joint efforts to counter Islamophobia and stop desecration of the holy books.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz and discussed with him ways to further expand the bilateral ties.

The prime minister had invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Pakistan, expressing the hope that Raisi would be the first head of state to visit Pakistan after the upcoming elections slated to be held in November.