THIS refers to your editorial ‘Iranian opportunities’ (July16), highlighting the enormous opportunities for Pakistan arising out of the historic nuclear deal between P5+1 nations and Iran.

The close geographical proximity, historic cultural ties, a common language (Baluchi) spoken on both sides of the border and religious affinity do call for rapidly developing an atmosphere of increased economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in the light of the latest development.

Iran is a nation of 80m people. Soon, the country is going to get access to $100bn of assets frozen abroad. This would gear up trade and investment boom in that country. The modernisation of its oil industry and infrastructure projects will give a boost to the import of cement, steel, marble and other building materials.

Herein lie the huge opportunities for Pakistan. For us, there can be no time better than now. To seize the opportunity, the government may take the following measures:

Quickly sign a Free Trade Agreement with Iran; upgrade road links from the border crossing at Taftan and Mand, near Turbat; the land route may be further linked to important points in Sindh through Khuzdar to Rato Dero to Khairpur to reach the National Highway at Khairpur Special Economic Zone , where a dry port may be established, so that benefits from increased Pakistan- Iran trade are evenly distributed; establish a full-fledged customs house at Taftan. People residing in neighbouring districts of the Pakistan- Iran border may be allowed the facility of duty-free trade, via Mand and Taftan, as is being done by India and Pakistan in the case of people living in two Kashmirs

Muhammad Essa Jalbani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2015

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