December 30, 2003	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 6, 1424

ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: A two-day meeting of Pak-Iran Working Group Experts on proposed gas pipeline project started its deliberation here on Monday.

Iranian Deputy Minister for International Affairs Nejad Hosseinian led a six-member delegation, while Federal Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources M. Abdullah Yusuf represented Pakistan in the meeting.

The secretary was assisted by the senior officials of the ministry and the managing directors of Sui Southern and Sui Northern Gas Companies.

During the visit of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali to Iran, both the countries had agreed to constitute a working group on the proposed gas pipeline project.

Welcoming the Iranian delegation the Secretary Petroleum said that proposed Pak-Iran gas pipeline project would not only open up new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation among the member states in the oil and gas but also prove a peace pipeline in the region.

He said that the deliberations of working group experts of the two countries would help them to exchange expertise and know-how for the expeditious implementation of the proposed project.

The Iranian minister on the occasion said that Iran and Pakistan enjoy excellent brotherly relations in diversified fields and this project would bring the two people closer.

Later, the meeting considered the pros and cons of the proposed gas pipeline and both the experts put forth their suggestions in this regard.

The meeting reviewed the agenda on production, transmission, importing, marketing, selling and investment besides gas infrastructure pipeline network, demand and supply for the imported gas in Pakistan.—APP