TEHRAN - Iranian Oil Minister Javad Oji says Islamabad is eager for Iran’s gas export pipeline to Pakistan (IP) to become operational as soon as possible, Shana reported.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Iranian president's visit to Pakistan, Oji said Pakistan awaits gas injection and has started negotiations with several companies to conclude a construction contract to bring the pipeline onstream.

“Given the initiatives taken by the Pakistani side, we hope the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline to become operational and gas export to the neighboring country to be started during the tenure of the 13th administration,” he added.

Accompanying President Raisi in his two-day visit to Pakistan, Oji held a meeting with Pakistani Minister of Power and Petroleum Musadik Malik, with reinforcing energy cooperation high on the agenda. In addition to oil and gas, exports of technical and engineering services were the other issue on the agenda. 

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Malik said that there are significant opportunities between Iran and Pakistan to deepen bilateral relations, especially in commercial and economic fields, and the two sides are determined to use these capacities.

He stressed that his country is very pleased with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Pakistan, adding, “It is a great honor for us to host the Iranian delegation.”

He said the first phase of negotiations has been held and the two sides will continue this process in the next stages.

The Pakistani minister said there have been comprehensive and reassuring negotiations as well as consultations between the two countries at the ministerial level.

“Tehran and Islamabad will continue to cooperate for the prosperity of the region and also to ensure the interests of each other’s nations,” he added.

Iran, Pakistan to upgrade border terminals, increase flights

The Iranian Minister of Transport and Urban Development has also said Iran and Pakistan are determined to upgrade the border terminals and increase the number of direct flights between the two countries.

Mehrdad Bazrpash, who also heads the Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, accompanied Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi on his visit to Islamabad on Monday. 

He revealed the signing of cooperation documents with Pakistan in the transportation fields, including the development of the border terminals and an increase in the number of flights between the two countries.

Speaking on the sidelines of the signing of eight cooperation documents between the two sides in various fields, the transport minister added that cooperation in the ports, maritime, air, rail, and road fields was among the main issues discussed between the transport officials of the two countries to further broaden the bilateral relations.

Launching a direct flight between Tehran and Islamabad and increasing the number of flights between Tehran and Lahore and Mashhad and Lahore were among the other fields of cooperation discussed between officials of the two countries, Bazrpash added.

Establishing free trade zones at common border crossings, cooperating in the media and animal health sectors, cooperating in the field of security and also cooperatives and social welfare sectors, cooperating in the standard sector, interacting in the legal sector and judicial assistance in civil and commercial affairs were some of the most important documents of cooperation which were signed by Iranian ministers of roads and urban development, justice, culture and Islamic guidance, agriculture and heads of free industrial-trade and special economic zone organizations with their Pakistani counterparts.

EF/