Iran interested in expansion of cooperation with Pakistan
Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi expressed his country’s interest in cooperation with Pakistan on roads, maritime, aviation and rail transportation.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Pakistani Minister of Maritime Affairs Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, the Iranian minister also said that the two countries share long borders, thus protecting the security of this region and its development is a vital policy for both countries, IRNA reported.
He added that Iran sees no hurdle in the way of expansion of cooperation with Pakistan in the transportation field expressing that Iran is ready to cooperate in the construction of a railroad to link the two port cities of Chabahr and Gwadar.
The official also proposed to launch direct flights between Iranian and Pakistani cities.
The minister added that the statistics show that about 200,000 Pakistani travelers visited Iran the last year.
Meanwhile, heading a high-level delegation, Akhoundi visited the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Friday.
The delegation took keen interest in the deep water container port project of the KPT along with other future projects including multipurpose bulk terminal, Cargo Village, LNG Terminal and Port Elevated Expressway.
The KPT Chairman Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar highlighted the port expansion program taking place under the 10 Years KPT Improvement Program.
Akhundi expressed interest in transshipment cargo handling and in this regards he said that ample space of 204,000 hectares is available in Bandar Abbas along with a railway network of 600 kilometers.