Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the PM House on Thursday evening and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest in a frank and cordial atmosphere. They also discussed bilateral co-operation in various fields such as energy, banking, agriculture, infrastructure and trade. Both leaders agreed to pursue the energy projects including electricity and gas on fast-track basis. They also discussed the status of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline as well.
The Iranian President said that his country is ready to enhance trade with Pakistan up to $10 billion within a couple of months. Both leaders also decided to improve the border management to facilitate transportation of goods. Both sides showed their willingness to open a new border point at Gabd and Reemdan between the two countries along the coastal highway of Paksitan.
The Iranian side also indicated its keen interest to import one million tonnes of wheat and 200,000/- tonnes of quality rice from Pakistan within weeks. The Pakistani side was apprised of the progress made in connection with opening of the office of Pakistan Consulate General at Bandar Abbas to facilitate trade and travel.
Earlier, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani underscored the affinities between both countries, stressing that shared culture; religion; border and history would help tap immense trade potential existing between them. The Prime Minister also extended his deep sense of gratitude to the Iranian leader on his country's provision of electricity to Gawadar area. He said that the import of electricity from Iran would partially alleviate the electricity deficiency in the country.
From Pakistan side those who attended the meeting included Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Advisor on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Communications, Dr Arbab Alamgir, Minister for Water and Power, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Textile Industries, Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Senior Government Officials.
Those who attended from Iran side included Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, Advisor and Head of President office, Asfandyar Mashaei, Vice-President in Executive Affairs, Hameed Baghaie, Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Alireza Haghighian and other senior officials.-PR