Iran eyes CPEC with growing interest after port visit
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KARACHI: Iran’s Minister for Roads and Urbanisation Abbas Akhoundi expressed keen interest in exploring avenues available under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The minister is leading a high level Iranian delegation which visited Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Friday.
Akhoundi also showed interest in transshipment cargo handling. He said that Iran is keen to work with Pakistan for interconnection linkage between Karachi Port and Bandar Abbas as well as the development of tourism and facilitation of ‘zaireen’ (religious pilgrims).
He further said there was ample space of 204,000 hectares available at Bandar Abbas for promoting transshipment cargo handling facility.
KPT Chairman Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar briefed the Iranian delegation about various projects.
He said the port is currently working on the expansion programme under the 10-Year Karachi Port Improvement Plan.
The Iranian delegation took keen interest in the deepwater container port project of KPT along with other future projects including the multipurpose bulk terminal, cargo village, LNG terminal and port elevated expressway.
The KPT chairman said that special care has been taken for opening up investment opportunities in marine sector for private sector.
The Iranian delegation was also given a tour of the South Asia Pakistan Terminals Ltd at the Deepwater Container Port.
Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2018
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Comments (73) Closed
Apr 14, 2018 08:45am
Many countries only eye.Only Iron brother China invests and then demands most of the benefits.
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Apr 14, 2018 09:13am
Cooperation is very important to remove poverty and usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the region.
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Apr 14, 2018 09:19am
Iran is most welcome without any political agenda of sectarianism on our soil...
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Apr 14, 2018 09:23am
How can these ports help Iran ? They are right next door with their own port !!
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Apr 14, 2018 09:30am
Iran and all other countries in this region must realise where their true benefits lie. USA and it's allies must be economically boycotted and isolated. CPEC offers a very good chance to set up a new global trade system and link which can achieve this.
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Apr 14, 2018 09:47am
Keep these Indian supported Iranians terrorists out of CPEC, China knows it well.
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Apr 14, 2018 09:57am
It’s difficult to understand Iran’s priorities.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:03am
What abt Chahbahar port? Is india not cooperating well!
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Apr 14, 2018 10:03am
As the CPEC project start working various country keen to join the mega project.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:04am
Iran historic adventures in India have been full of bloodshed, colonization, destroying infrastructure of the locals and imposing their own by suppressing the voices of the Indian uprising against Iran's occupation. Hyderabad, Lucknow and many hundreds of towns and cities across India they enforced their own faith and culture after invading them, again disregarding those very people who welcomed them in the first place, India is a sad example it. Trusting Iran and investing our hard earned tax rupees and any collaboration with Iran is a grave mistake, leading for the history to repeat itself.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:15am
Good news. Pakistan and China will control Chahabar port.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:23am
What if Iran in and China out? Appear not impossible.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:28am
Don’t trust Iranian.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:30am
@ Khan seems like even Pakistanis are kept out of CPEC's Gwadar port. No wonder Pakistanis had to give the Iranians a tour of Karachi port instead.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:35am
Tell me one reason why Iran will support Gwadar and not Chahbar from business point of view. What benefit they will get.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:37am
@ Khan very well done India & Iran - Iranian delegate visited and now they share details with India, like Russia share details of joint exercise with Pakistan last year.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:44am
Don’t trust these guys. They might be spying for India
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Apr 14, 2018 10:51am
India may not be pleased. Also chabahar will no longer be competition but a part of cpec soon. Iran must confirm that India will not be in their amidst when in Gwadar.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:53am
@ Khan CPEC is a mirage for Pakistan. Chinese wanted a road link from Kashghar to Gwadar and 99 year lease of the port. Costs of road and development has to be born by Pakistani and than Hamantota. That is the fate of CPEC.
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Apr 14, 2018 11:13am
Pakistan is in a Chinese debt trap of CPEC, so for local consumption this might be good news, a kinda relief.
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Apr 14, 2018 11:13am
Now this comment section will be flooded by Indians they don’t even have shame Interfering in enemy country matters like obsessive people
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Apr 14, 2018 11:51am
@ Khan Keep these Indian supported Iranians terrorists out of CPEC, China knows it well.
pls dont accuse our iranian brothers, they do no terrorist activities in other country, they may involve their military like in syria but no non stste actors ect
from a humble indian
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Apr 14, 2018 11:58am
Pakistan and Iran should use both Gwadar and Chahbahar ports for mutual trade.
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Apr 14, 2018 12:13pm
@ Khan: It takes one to know one!
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Apr 14, 2018 12:16pm
CPEC is very good for the countries like Afghanistan and Iran also.
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Apr 14, 2018 12:23pm
I don’t understand why Indians get triggered on any DAWN forum with the word CPEC? We Pakistanis wish nothing but the best for your country. Whether chinese are opportunists or allies has nothing to do with India. It’s for Pakistanis to decide and not Indians. Keep your cool!
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Apr 14, 2018 12:45pm
Keep Iran and afghanistan well away from cpec. They are burning with envy.
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Apr 14, 2018 12:46pm
@ Khan;
China-Iran friendship as strong as China-Pakistan friendship.
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Apr 14, 2018 12:50pm
@Saif Zulfiqar
Afghanistan has chabahar and caspian sea through turkmenistan. We don't need CPEC. thanks
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Apr 14, 2018 01:02pm
CPEC is as beneficial to Iran as to Pakistan because of increase trade in the region.
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Apr 14, 2018 01:04pm
Invest in Gwadar and Pakistan. Prosperity should be shared to all those who participate
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Apr 14, 2018 01:15pm
@Saif Zulfiqar
Yes CPEC is good for Iran, now they can import cheap Chinese goods and stop any manufacturing industry they may have in that country.
China with their artificial currency rate can kill any manufacturing around the world,,
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Apr 14, 2018 01:41pm
Iran is Pakistan's neighbour and a natural partner. We share 70% of Urdu language words with Iranians and have deep religious ties with them. No one should come between the two brotherly countries, and whoever tries to sow discord between them should be declared an enemy.
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Apr 14, 2018 02:18pm
Has anybody thought to improve and collaboration between shipping companies a joint venture program. The ships who will move cargoes inward/outward from these ports. Ports without ship's what good it is. Countries whosoever showing must do joint venture program to increase shipping. PNSC and other private sectors should bring ship's to this industry. This is not only increase jobs for thousands of Qualified professional Seamans of Pakistan, also move cargoes from and to Karachi and Gawader. Once Pakistan shipping industry was at boom but then all private ship owners disappear after the nationalization by then govt. Government should do efforts and make such environment to attract the private ship owners to invest again in this industry. Ship's and ports work together. what good it will do if just developing port and not doing anything to improve shipping. Ship's that brings cargoes to the port. Mr.Shipping Minister of Pakistan do some research and make use of the post you are holding.
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Apr 14, 2018 02:20pm
Welcome to the club and the clubhouse. Keep it up and hang on tough.
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Apr 14, 2018 02:20pm
The best strategy for Pakistan is to work together with Iran and China not only on CPEC but also to solve the problem of Afghanistan.Some countries are using land of Afghanistan to plant terrorism in Pakistan and Iran.
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Apr 14, 2018 02:48pm
@Abraham Canada
What intenational trade happens in Caspian sea o learned one
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Apr 14, 2018 03:13pm
Good gesture. we as Pakistan should engage with all neighbour countries including India and Afghanistan and let them come together for business and development in this whole region. We have issue ok we sit and solve out. Our people already suffered alot. Bring prosperity, education, jobs and development for our people. Lets grow together for shared bright future
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Apr 14, 2018 03:23pm
Why Iran will need Gwadar, Please give business point of view only
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Apr 14, 2018 03:29pm
@QUICKFIX "Pakistan is in a Chinese debt trap of CPEC, so for local consumption this might be good news, a kinda relief."
Typical Indian take on CPEC. Tell this to Iran.
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Apr 14, 2018 03:49pm
@Akram it is a loan not a grant.
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Apr 14, 2018 03:51pm
@ Khan : You are using Israeli terms when it comes to Iran. Means, you and Zionists as well as pro-terrorist salafist Saudis are on the same page...
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Apr 14, 2018 03:52pm
All the comments by Indian trolls are negative because they have been left behind from CPEC projects which are worth billions.
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Apr 14, 2018 03:54pm
@amir_indian ...You must be an Indian comedian good at telling stale jokes..!
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Apr 14, 2018 04:16pm
It is in the interest of both countries to have a close relationship in trade and business because we are good friends.
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Apr 14, 2018 04:54pm
@deva because Chabahar is just talks and Gwadar is reality
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Apr 14, 2018 05:02pm
Seems like all the comments I made about Chahbahar & Gwadar being mere distractions for trade to Central Asia are turning out to be true. Gwadar & Chahbahar are trans-shipment points at best, as they are surrounded by mountains & cliffs, transportation costs on land are expensive as all goods must be trucked which is 10 times more expensive than rail. Building and maintaining rail through mountains is prohibitively expensive. Karachi is the ONLY viable option as Karachi to Havelian & Karachi to the Khyber Pass is flat and goods can be shipped by rail.
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Apr 14, 2018 05:07pm
Why do they need Pakistani port when thay have their own ports next door.
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Apr 14, 2018 05:29pm
All of the countries in th region: Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, the Central, Asian countries, including India (through solving the Kashmir problem) should participate in the Asian vast infrastructure CPEC project.
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Apr 14, 2018 05:41pm
@Sachin The word is CHINA my friend and the trade with it thru CPEC. Iran is looking at much bigger CPEC game then the non significant Chabahar port.
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Apr 14, 2018 05:49pm
People think CPEC is some kind of luxury resort where everyone is trying to get in and enjoy inside.
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Apr 14, 2018 06:01pm
Iran also want pakistan and China to join chabahar port.
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Apr 14, 2018 06:18pm
Pakistan and Iran are two brotherly countries sharing religion, trade, culture, traditions, borders and history. India's evil machinations of driving a wedge between them must never be allowed. Pakistan and Iran stand together against terrorism, for regional stability and world peace.
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Apr 14, 2018 06:37pm
Time for India to mend ties with Pakistan on Kashmir permanent peace and all the regional players, India, Iran, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan can join hands together for tremendous economic growth, elevation of poverty, development of human resource which should be fate of this region.
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Apr 14, 2018 07:06pm
@King : your 70% of your language is shared by Afghanistan Farsi language then Iranian- you must know your history language.
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Apr 14, 2018 07:54pm
Looks like our Chabbar is of no use, now that Iranians are joining CPEC.
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Apr 14, 2018 09:11pm
Iran has full and deep interest in Baluchistan, this would be good for Baluchistan.
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Apr 14, 2018 09:36pm
@xpakistani Let's us invite Iran Turkey and Afghanistan to invest and benefit from CPEC and remove any misunderstanding created by our enemies between our friends.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:02pm
I have already said this in the past, and say it again - the only motive of Iran is to sabotage Gwadar. There is no way 2 competing ports can coexist just 70 km apart.
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Apr 14, 2018 10:15pm
@Syed Shahzad Bukhari - "Time for India to mend ties with Pakistan on Kashmir permanent peace and all the regional players, India, Iran, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan can join hands together for tremendous economic growth, elevation of poverty, development of human resource which should be fate of this region."
Out of the regions you mentioned, only China and Pakistan are under tremendous financial pressure. Pakistan has no money left, and after June, no one is going to lend them money. China has huge reserves. So no immediate threat. But with economy slowing down, exports being challenged by other players, and trade war with US will have a serious negative impact on their economy.
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Apr 15, 2018 12:06am
I am the greatest pro-Islamic guy there is but Iranians can not be trusted after they gave Kulboshan Yadev a free run within their country.
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Apr 15, 2018 12:06am
@SAM;
Compared to Gwader, Chahbahar is a minor port, and India is a minor player in Chahbahar.
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Apr 15, 2018 12:19am
@deva Chabahar is not big and not economically a hit like Gawdar. It is going to be Mega and economically a viable with its location and activity and route connections.
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Apr 15, 2018 01:19am
It would be nice to regenerate alliance between Turky, Iran and Pakistan
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Apr 15, 2018 08:34am
@BhaRAT because this land used to be ours also, and we still have attachment to this land
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Apr 15, 2018 02:48pm
Pakistan welcome every country who wishes to be parts of CPEC because it is mega project would be beneficial for future growth.l
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Apr 15, 2018 02:51pm
@Sachin gawadar have its geographic importance, to have understand that required comprehensive analysis.
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Apr 15, 2018 04:22pm
It's very helpful for me
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Apr 15, 2018 06:58pm
@kamran - "gawadar have its geographic importance, to have understand that required comprehensive analysis."
May be for China for importing oil. they own it for 40 years. What's in there for Pakistan?
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Apr 15, 2018 11:39pm
@BhaRAT you are the only one obsessed with india..........
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Apr 16, 2018 09:09am
e It is not sincerity of purpose in participating in the CPEC. It is gaining know how and comparing ground realities for Chahabahar Port development.
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Apr 16, 2018 02:45pm
@ Pakistani Human - Brother, a very positive & nice comment.
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Apr 17, 2018 12:06am
Yes, a very welcome move. Let us all develop together.
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