Pakistani ambassador in Iran:
Islamabad, Tehran enhancing intelligence, security cooperation to counter terrorism
Bilateral annual trade to hit $5b
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
The Pakistani ambassador in Tehran, referring to strengthening intelligence and security cooperation between Iran and Pakistan to counter terrorist activities and enhance security at the common borders, announced the continuation of the fencing program along more than 900 kilometers of the shared border with Iran.
Ambassador Muhammad Mudassir Tipu stated in a conversation with Iranian Daily, “The development and reinforcement of fencing along the borders are carried out with the aim of controlling the entry and exit of terrorist groups and illegal movements. We hope that by implementing these measures, the threats posed by terrorist groups at the borders will decrease.”
The fencing program, covering over 900 kilometers of the shared border between the two countries, follows past terrorist attacks in various areas of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Tehran has requested Islamabad to strengthen security and enhance monitoring at the borders.
Recently, in the aftermath of a terrorist attack last Friday night, a terrorist group attacked the police headquarters in Rask, leading to the martyrdom of 11 members of the Law Enforcement Force (NAJA). Rask is located in the southeast of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, approximately 500 kilometers south of Zahedan, near the Pakistan border.
Pakistan-Iran relations at highest level
The Pakistani ambassador praised the current relations between Iran and Pakistan as being at the highest level, and stated, “The Pakistani government is eager to expand relations further with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Mudassir continued, “Iran and Pakistan are neighboring countries with significant cultural and historical ties, and these shared connections and proximities facilitate bilateral cooperation between the two nations.”
He noted the increasing political and diplomatic communications between Iran and Pakistan, saying, “Good meetings at the level of high-ranking officials of both countries have taken place in the past months, such as the meeting between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the Prime Minister of Pakistan in New York in late September. This meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.”
He added, “In addition, in the month of August this year, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Pakistan and held meetings with our country’s officials. We aim for these meetings and political and diplomatic exchanges between the two countries to continue and increase.”
Trade to hit $5b
The Pakistani ambassador in Tehran mentioned the current volume of trade between Iran and Pakistan, which is approximately $2 billion, and stated, “Both countries aim to increase the level of trade, intending to reach a figure of $5 billion in the coming years.”
Mudassir elaborated, “In terms of enhancing commercial relations, the Chambers of Commerce of both countries play a crucial role and should increase their interactions with each other. The Chambers of Commerce of both countries must first identify the potentials and economic strengths of the two nations.”
Referring to the abundant potentials for collaboration in the commercial and economic sectors, Mudassir stated, “These potentials assist both countries in achieving a substantial increase in trade transactions. Iran and Pakistan each possess capacities and significant products in the commercial and economic fields, which the counterpart country needs. Therefore, the method of exchanging these products and capacities must be well identified.”
He continued, “Additionally, both countries are planning for bilateral relations to develop, including in the economic and trade sectors, by increasing direct flights between Tehran and Karachi, and other cities.”
The Pakistani ambassador also commented on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, saying, “Pakistan is keen for the swift completion of this pipeline. We are working on the continuation of the project, and we hope it becomes operational sooner.”
According to him, the inauguration of this gas pipeline will not only be impactful on increasing gas exchanges but can also lead to the improvement of collaborations in other sectors, including trade matters, fostering even greater friendship and closeness between the two countries.
The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, also known as the Peace Pipeline, is the name of the project for the export of Iranian gas to India and Pakistan. Based on agreements made, Iran committed to selling its gas to India and Pakistan at an agreed-upon price for a period of 25 years. This route is the most economical method of energy supply for the Indian subcontinent.
The construction of this pipeline, which began in 2002, was initially planned to be operational in 2014. However, with India withdrawing from the project and Pakistan delaying the construction of the pipeline within its borders, the project remains incomplete.
So far, over 1,100 kilometers of the pipeline have been implemented in Iran, from the South Pars Gas Field to the border region with Pakistan in Baluchistan. However, the execution of the pipeline in Pakistan has been delayed due to the country’s urgent need for gas. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, during his visit to Pakistan in August, urged the country to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project in the Pakistani section. The lack of funding and international sanctions against Iran are among the reasons cited for the non-execution of this project in Pakistan.
Academic exchanges rising
The Pakistani ambassador also spoke about cultural and linguistic interactions and collaborations between Iran and Pakistan, stating, “Pakistan is very eager to enhance the interactions between the two countries in this field and increase the exchange of professors and students.”
He continued, “In line with the development of cultural and linguistic interactions, the University of Tehran has recently invited a Pakistani professor to participate in an event in Tehran, and we are looking forward to continuing these exchanges. Moreover, the two countries can collaborate in the exchange of films and TV series, as such collaborations help bring the cultures and people of both nations closer. In this regard, arrangements should be made so that Pakistani films and TV series can be dubbed and broadcast in Iran.”
The Pakistani ambassador announced his country’s readiness to cooperate in the translation and publication of books by poets and eminent figures from both countries, stating, “In this regard, the works of Hafez and Ferdowsi have been translated into Urdu by prominent Pakistani scholars, and extensive research has been conducted on them.”