KARACHI: The Governor of Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, Aaqai Ali Awsat Hashemi, says that Iran has finished its part of the gas pipeline project and is now waiting for Pakistan to complete its portion.

Sistan-Baluchestan, the most impoverished of the provinces in Iran, is currently facing a militant struggle by an ethnic Baloch group named, Jaishul Adl, which is said to be a successor of another militant group named, Jundullah.

Also read: Pakistan, Iran term border attacks a conspiracy to undermine relations‏

Talking to members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday, Mr Hashemi said: “This conflict is like flu. It would end soon. This conflict is not between the two governments, rather small groups that get their agendas and support from elsewhere.”

During the meeting, the Sistan governor spoke about the need to contain cross-border smuggling which he said was affecting the economy of both countries. He said by utilising the private sector in the two countries, Iran and Pakistan could trade products that were still unsanctioned, such as plastic, petrol, fruits and sea food. Both countries were strategically well placed to “easily access Central Asian countries through land, air and sea routes”, he said.

He said the Chabahar Free Trade Zone was open to Pakistan and the facility could boost bilateral business ties.

Answering a question about Iran’s recent trade talks with India, Mr Hashemi said, “If we interact with one country it doesn’t mean we are enemies with the other. We usually trade or are involved in business ties with the rival states. It is high time we worked together in the region.”

Published in Dawn January 13th , 2015

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