Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday jointly inaugurated the 100 MW Polan-Gabd electricity transmission line project from Iran to Gwadar at the Mand-Pishin border sustenance market.
The two leaders also inaugurated the sustenance marketplace at the Mand-Pishin crossing point.
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The Mand-Pishin border sustenance marketplace is expected to provide a thriving platform for increasing cross-border trade, fostering economic growth, and opening up new avenues of opportunity for local businesses.
It should be noted that this is one of the six border markets which has been constructed along the Pak-Iran border. The Polan-Gabd Electricity Transmission Line plays a pivotal role in meeting the energy needs of the region, including households and businesses, by bringing-in an additional 100 MW of electricity from Iran.
While Addressing the ceremony, Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi said bilateral ties between Iran and Pakistan are strengthening with every passing day. He congratulated the people of Iran and Pakistan on the inauguration of the landmark projects.
Iran is ready to work with Pakistan in the energy sector, the Iranian president said and added that border markets will help in increasing bilateral trade between both countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Iranian president and added the border projects’ inauguration has opened a new era of ties between Islamabad and Tehran.
Regarding the inauguration of Mand-Pishin border market, the prime minister said the facility would enhance trade activity in the surrounding areas and would get an uplift as trade centers would be constructed there.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also invited the Iranian president to visit Pakistan which he accepted.
Premier Remarks
In an exclusive interview with Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Premier Shehbaz stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, terming energy projects and border markets “emblematic of the vitality of Pakistan-Iran friendship”
PM Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks in a written interview sent to the Bureau office of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) in Islamabad.
The PM was of the view that the Mand-Pishin border marketplace and the Polan-Gabd electricity project are “tangible manifestations” of this joint resolution.
He added the border markets including Mand-Pishin will not only ameliorate the socioeconomic conditions of our border regions but also foster new opportunities for local businesses. “They would also serve as a stepping stone for greater cooperation between our two countries, especially in the economic domain,” the premier maintained.
Shedding light on trade, he noted there is tremendous scope and mutual desire for the actualisation of our trade potential.
“Both Pakistan and Iran are deeply committed to achieving an annual trade volume of $5 billion. In this regard, the operationalisation of the barter trade mechanism is a significant step,” he said.
