Looks like its bit late.Other countries have already taken the advantage and doing big business contracts with Iran.At least gas pipeline project should be completed asap.

It can be a start of new era and both neighbours can benefit mutually from each other.

I wonder how will Pakistan's Saudia allies react to this change.

NO mention of Iran - Pakistan gas pipeline. Of course not big kickbacks in LNG deals.

@Sharique Pakistan should not worry about Saudia, but take care of it's interests.

Neighbors first Brothers later ! mantra for success.

Ditch the expensive LNG with its import and then re gasification costs! Just attach pipe to Iranian completed pipeline at border!

Good opportunity for business in Iran.

@mub .. You are right it is too late. Actually Nawaz government was waiting for approval of house if Saudi.

Why Pakistan had to cut off trade ties when some other countries maintained it even during sanctions.

1st and foremost Pakistan, Israel gets $6 billion a year from the USA yet when Obama ASKS them to stop building settlements so that we could proceed with peace talks they tell him sorry but no! We should grow some backbone..

Seriously, this guy (Ishaq Dar) just woke up! China, Russia, West and India has already signed billions and billions dollars worth of deals with Iran plus the Iranian President visited the whole Europe making economic deals and this guy just realizes that the sanctions have been lifted on Iran. Was he living under a stone?

What is this guy now looking for? All Pak is going to get now is crumbs because the Iranian pie is already eaten by the rest of the world. This is what happens when you have leaders whose loyalty does not lie with the nation. PMLN is in the pockets of KSA and seems like they have no clue how to protect Pak interests. Again this is what happens when the elected representatives personal interests are above that of the country.

@Karachitee did u mean India first and Saudi second.

@mub : Dar was looking for his own cup of tea !

Start exporting cars to Iran, Afghanistan ....Pak Suzuki, Atlas Honda and Indus Toyota should wake up and improve their standards......

@Sharique : Saudi Arabia is fast losing its oil-charm after the recent crash of oil prices. Very soon it would start looking for its own bread and butter in Pakistan.

Build a oil pipeline direct from Iran to Quetta to cut down on transportation costs....

Does lifting the sanctions matter to Iran? Iran is still has a stronger economy than any Asian neighbors except China.

@Karachitee ...Agreed. But Iran is a neighbour as well as strong Islamic brother country facing aggression from world power due to its practical support to Palestinian cause and real resistance to Israel

tooo late ? India stood by Iran showing strategic depth

Iran and Saudi Arabia are equally dearer to the people of Pakistan. Their conflicts and proxy wars has only inflicted grave damage to Ummah. They should join hands in eradicating all sorts of terrorists including the religious extremists and radicals in the larger interest of the region and the humanity at large.

I don't understand. Everyone knew sanctions would be lifted approx 6 months ago, China not only lifted sanctions but already signed deals worth 100 billion as did the EU and PML decided to wake up and lift sanctions just today? Is this a PML a real govt or do they think this is a playstation game?

@Shakil The LNG coming from Qatar is cheaper even with the overhead. We should go ahead with Gas pipeline but Iran has to offer better rates.

@mub : Although fairly late but let's hope the matter does not remain confined to just announcement. Remains to be seen how soon next / further steps are taken to off-set the delayed announcement.

NS people looted the country with Qatar LNG deal with commission. Iran gas would have been cheep, but now it is for China business at Gwadar not Pakistani people.

good move,

Iran must be so relieved now.

@Pakistanfirst2 : How can Iran offer better rates when better part of the rates have to be separated and siphoned to the personal coffers?

@N_Saq Exactly. This is exactly the problem and why ordinary PK still suffer. In the mean time I assure you that PML ministers bank accounts are growing exponentially.

Well Pakistan is an important country and Iran wants to mend ties with its Eastern neighbour... Even if the decision is late Pakistan enjoys the advantage of proximity in this relationship and should look for an overhaul in its policies with Iran.

@Ahmed Haneef Please tell Iran that there are Muslims living in Kashmir too and at the very least not be India's largest oil and gas exporter. We all want peace for Palestine but Kashmir should be our first priority and Iran has some brotherly obligations in this area.

A bit late? No wonder India was their preferred partner.

China is going to trade $600billion and we are now only lifting the sanctions?

To expedite the work on gas pipe line at least

@M.Saeed I am not a N-League fan but give credit when its due. Not only the rates for Qatar LNG are better but the over head cost for gasification and re gasification will employ thousands of Pakistanis and most of the overhead money will stay in Pakistan.

Because of geographical proximity and sanctions relaxation Iran is going to be economic powerhouse of Middle East. Its logical for us to have good and brotherly relations with Iran.

It would be much better if Pakistan was the first country to annouce this deceision ,Saddly its quiet late.

If this is how lethargic Pakistani leadership is to the realities around them, and especially a rich neighbor, full of opportunities, than I would not shed any tears when bilateral trade between Iran and India worth Billions passes through Arabian Sea for all to lament!

Always late to the game. Rather then 'reacting' so slowly to changing dynamics,. Pakistan should've been pro-active even when talks were underway with the West to lift the sanctions, to prepare for bilateral trade opportunities, and other contracts.

That's what we get when we elect semi-literate paindoos to represent and manage the country's affairs.

Oh yeah, I'm sure Iranians are thrilled that a super-power like Pakistan has finally lifted sanctions against them (just a month behind rest of the world).

Good times ahead for all Iranians!

Isn't it too late ?

Today I got to knew we also impose sanctions.....:p

Iran is a brotherly nation with many a common aspects of culture, language, religion and history. Iran has assisted pakistan in its conflicts with India and will always do so. The IP pipeline should be made a reality.

Pakistan can benefit from China, Russia, Iran and Saudia Arabia. We have take every opportunities with these countries. It is time to change our foreign policy

Great relief for Iran.

HEADLINES looks funny, least to say!

Pakistan and Iran ties with Iran should be "greater than that of Saudi Arabia"

If Iran didn't care for the US or EU sanctions then why would it care about Pakistani sanctions?

@N_Saq Even Xi Jinping paid a long visit to Iran recently !!

@Bin Adam Saudis and Iranis joining hands is impossible.

why delay in liftinng sanctions? may be for ishaq dar and co to finalize the qatar LNG deal?

Excellent

@Abdullah The IP gas pipeline is already under construction. There are plans to also build oil and gas pipelines to China through Pakistan as part of CPEC. The game is already afoot.

Pakistan has lifed sanctions??? can Pakistan impose sanctions against any country?

@Abdullah,

Iran already has a much better Auto Industry than Pakistan. They make their own cars, 100%, even under the sanctions. Pakistan is 50 years or more behind Iran in Auto industry. Search Irani Auto industry, their car company Iran Khodro, makes Samand, Dena, Soren, 100% in Iran. The French Renault and Peugeot helped them and now they make their own designs. Iran is much more industrialized than Pakistan. Even in Education sector Iran is far ahead of Pakistan. Iran has above 90% literacy rate. Their cities are much cleaner. I am Pakistan but I have to admit we have to do a lot of improvements in Pakistan if we ever want it to develop.

This Government is so slow, that it is of no use sometimes

Keep open your mind never loose opportunity, it will be too late if China reach Iran.

I think Pakistan wasted this time in the hope of getting a better deal from Saudis, but Saudis are already in trouble on different external and internal fronts.

Let's start with the gas pipeline as Iran has already completed their share of the pipeline!!

Build the pipeline on our side without losing more time. And stop this joke of announcing of lifting the sanctions. These are not our sanctions, those who imposed them have already announced it more than a month ago.

@Abdullah they are getting much better plants in their country, which would be building the latest cars, not out dated models assembled in Pakistan.

@Khan143 Ha ha ha!!

@Karachitee Agreed. And for that reason we should go all out and normalize relations with India.

Pakistan sanctions should remain in place because it's beneficial for iran

Funny headline. Sanctions were lifted by UN. Countries are just following, Pakistan never put sanctions in the first place

Why did Pakistan sanction Iran anyway?

GOOD IDEA

Pakistan must not open trade with Iran. India is the main and upcoming economic power and Pakistan must see how it can benefit from Indian economy.

late on catching train but still it will begin a journey.

What about the gas pipeline? Unlike qatar lng deal this is much better as we are not bound to buy gas from Iran...we can buy as and when required...whereas for lng we are tied with qatar for 15 years and must buy a certain amount each year

The US and the European union has lifted the sanction on Iran on January 16, 2016 after it complied with the agreement. Why it a month for Pakistan to remove the sanctions against our neighbor and biggest trade partner . All the other countries have signed agreements with Iran to supply everything they needed. Why it took another month for Pakistan to remove sanctions. It appears Pakistani government is sleeping on the helm and does not want any disturbance in their sleep. Good Job Mr Dar you you are fast and efficient.

Pakistan-Iran trade volume stands at a dismally low level primarily because Pakistan does not lift Iranian oil. Iran offers special favors to countries buying Iranian crude such as China, South Korea and India. However, being a neighbor, Pakistan can certainly get its due share in the Iranian market by deploying effective commercial diplomacy. It is still not too late. By improving rail, road and Sea links and opening more border posts with Iran, Pakistan can boost its trade with the oil and gas rich country. Our private sector traders should visit Iran in the favorable post sanction climate to study the market and strike business deals with their Iranian counterparts now that the banking channels have been restored for formal trade. Our Commerce and Petroleum Ministeries should take the lead to push govt's efforts aimed at enhancing trade and implementing the mega IP gas pipeline project, strategic to Iran-Pakistan relations.

PMLN is a corrupt and inept government with zero vision. This is the reason it woke up so late to lift sanctions on Iran!

It is a good news for both countries good luck.

oh thank u govt of pak by the way iranians don't mind us, we have already made our friends foes.

Wonder why Pakistan had upheld sanctions over Iran when UN's verdicts can't be followed through over Kasmir since 1950s of self determination? Why doesn't Pskistan leave the membership of this biased, useless, one sided body, represents only powerful, imperial institution and defunct club for nothing?

@N_Saq. Ishaq Dar is economist who has no education nor a formal training in international trade, finance or knowledge of macro economics yet being simply an accountant by profession, he considers borrowings as an asset not a liability for the treasury, and inflates national reserve! So, what would he know about doing trade with Iran over buying expensive gas from Qatar?

@N_Saq ....Iran needs "hi-tech infrastructure rebuilding requirements" Which currently only the West, Japan and China can offer ( in this order) and to a small extent India. Iran has been signing "multi- billion dollar contracts" to rebuild industry sector. Whilst Iran has signed contracts with Germany, France, Italy, China you will notice UK has been "left out" and that's for no obvious reason. Pakistan has "nothing to offer in terms of Iran's modernising requirements, but there is "other avenues" that Pakistan can and "will" progress with, and build up a "strong relationship"

@Coleman yeah but technically india is not an occupier like israel, india is not kicking out kashmiris out of kashmir and not allowing them to return.

No point in waking up Mr Dar, you've missed the boat. Might as well go back bed.

Mr Ishaq Dar you have missed the boat once again. The countries who really enhanced their economies with Iran have already gained from their deals. China, India and European union have already cut deals with Iran worth trillions of dollars. Once again we are too late.

@Indian no he probably meant iran and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is between 3 ancient civilizations. India to east. Persia to west. China to. North and in this case Arabian Sea to South linking to Oman. So i suggest u read about Pakistan region history. The myth that Pakistan is same as India has already been broken. Pakistan is healthy mix of the oldest civilizations of the world. Pakistan zindabad.

@Shah, Canada At least Iran is honest. You pay US and we'd take care of you. Not like the lying you know who. Zip it.