Gas pipeline under IPI project has reached 80 km from Pakistan border, said governor of largest province of Iran, Khorasan Razavi, Dr Mahmoud Salahi Tuesday. "Iran has laid gas pipeline, under Iran Pakistan and India (IPI) Project, up to Booshay city of Iran, which is 80 km away from Pakistan border," he said. The Iranian envoy termed it a significant development and expressed hope that the project would be completed soon.
He was replying to queries during his media interaction at a local hotel. He was accompanied by Punjab Minister, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor and Iranian Counsel General, Mohammad Hussain Bin Asadi.
Talking about the economy of Pakistan, he said poverty is an important issue but Pakistan has the capacity to pull out of it. He said the agriculture sector in Pakistan is one of the best in the world but processing of agro-based raw materials is not up to the mark. "Value addition enhances value of the raw material three times," he said, adding, "Pakistan is the best milk producer but a poor value addition of it is a source of concern for Pakistan."
He said that both processing and value addition are the areas where Iran can help Pakistan. He said he has put forward suggestions and asked agro-scientists to help out Pakistan in this regard. According to him, Iran is ready to help Pakistan reap potential of the agro-processing industry. He further said Iran is ready to import surplus meat from a modern slaughterhouse near Lahore. Iran is already importing mango and citrus from Pakistan and added that he has instructed Khorasan to import these products directly in future. He added that trade volume between the two countries has doubled during 2010-11, which is a welcoming sign.
Regarding to a query relating to MoU signing or business agreements with Punjab government during his stay, Iran governor said a comprehensive contract is ready to be signed by him with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, including a clause of helping Punjab in overcoming power load-shedding. "My delegation includes an Iranian company Gymco, having expertise in supplying generators for power houses." He revealed there is no load-shedding in Iran. Instead, he said, Iran is producing surplus electricity. He said his country has expertise on developing hydel projects and talks are underway to help Punjab government in this regard. He said two Iranian companies are negotiating the possibilities of constructing hydel powerhouses in Punjab. He added that both Pakistan and Iran are facing the problem of terrorism and have a common agenda of eradicating it at the earliest.
Regarding international pressure against Iranian nuclear programme, Dr Salahi said Iran is a signatory of UN resolutions and IAEA and is bound to follow them but everyone has equal right to attain nuclear technology. According to him, world community should get benefit of modern sciences and technologies. He said he was accompanied by a delegation of public and private sector policymakers and entrepreneurs and they are meeting with concerned people in Punjab in order to look for ways and means of business exhibitions on either side of the border.
On recent US intervention to Pakistan sovereignty, he said Iran strictly believes that no country has the right to interfere in the sovereignty of any other country at any excuse. He appreciated the hospitality and warm welcome he received in Lahore and said he is happy to start of visit of Pakistan from the city of Lahore. He said Pakistan has an important place among the Islamic world. According to him, Pakistan, Iran and Turkish co-operation is improving fast, which is good for the region as well as the Islamic world.