January 01, 2009	Thursday	Muharram 03, 1430

ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: Pakistan and Iran agreed on Wednesday to boost cooperation in power sector and expedite implementation of existing projects, says a joint declaration signed by Iranian Deputy Minister of Energy Abbas Aliababi and adviser to the ministry of water and power at the end of a three-day visit by an Iranian delegation led by Minister of Energy Parviz Fatah.

Officials said the two sides also agreed to set up a ministerial-level monitoring committee to fix deadlines for power projects.

Mr Aliababi and Pepco managing director Fazal Ahmed Khan will be focal persons for implementation of the projects.

Pakistan has decided to import 1,000 MW electricity from Iran and a feasibility study will be carried out soon. The two countries agreed that provision for importing an additional 1,000 MW would be included in the feasibility report.

Iran has said that a dedicated gas-based power plant of 1,000 MW capacity near Zahidan may be made available for exporting power to Pakistan.The two sides have agreed that the transmission line for 100 MW will be completed by the end of 2009. They took note of slow pace of progress on projects for import of 100 MW of power for the Gwadar port and feasibility study for 1,000MW transmission line between Zahidan and Quetta.—Staff Reporter