ISLAMABAD: Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain on Saturday said the regional political developments showed that time has come for the construction of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, and the improvement in Iran-Saudi Arabia relations with the help of China is welcomed by the whole of Muslim Ummah.

“Today in 2023, Asia will shape the future of the world,” Senator Hussain said.

He was speaking here at the farewell dinner for the outgoing ambassador of Iran Mohammad Ali Hussaini.

Senator Hussain who is also the chairperson of the Senator Standing Committee on Defence, recalled that Pakistan and Iran had historical ties and said that Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan on the world map.

He added: “Before the arrival of the British, Persian language was not only popular in the subcontinent but was the court language of many states including the Sikh empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The Senator said that the tenure as ambassador Mohammad Ali Hussaini was highly successful in all spheres as defence security, intelligence, trade and cross-border trade increased in both countries.

“For the first time, delegations of the chiefs of intelligence services and the armed forces of two countries were exchanged,”

In his speech, Mr Hussaini said that two official border crossings have been opened after 73 years and agreement on construction of six new border markets has been reached. Out of it one completed and ready for operation while two will be completed soon.

He added that electricity export to Pakistan has been increased from 100MW to more than 200MW, which can be potentially increased to 500MW.

He added that in current situation, priority should be given to the use of existing capacities and possibilities in the economic field, tourism and mutual investment between Iran and Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2023