ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi will jointly inaugurate Mand-Pishin border sustenance marketplace and Polan-Gabd electricity transmission line at the Mand-Pishin border crossing point on Thursday (today).

“One of the six border markets to be constructed along the Pak-Iran common border, the Mand-Pishin border sustenance marketplace will provide a thriving platform for increasing cross-border trade, fostering economic growth and opening up new avenues of opportunity for local businesses.

“The Polan-Gabd electricity transmission line plays a pivotal role in meeting the energy needs of the region, including households and businesses, by bringing in additional 100MW electricity from Iran,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

It said the joint inauguration has a manifestation of the strong commitment of Pakistan and Iran to uplift welfare of the residents of the provinces of Balochistan and Sistan-Baluchestan. “It also serves as a significant stride forward in relationship between the two countries,” the FO noted.

Pakistan and Iran share a 959km-long border that begins at Koh-i-Malik Salih mountain and ends at Gwadar Bay in the Gulf of Oman. The trade volume between the two countries currently stands at around $2 billion.

Iran exports around 100 megawatts of electricity to the border areas of Pakistan. The inauguration of the Mand-Pishin border sustenance marketplace was discussed last week during a meeting between Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar and Chairman of the Commission of National Security and Foreign Policy of Iran Vahid Jalalzadeh.

“This border crossing, to be inaugurated by the prime minister of Pakistan and the president of Iran, holds immense significance in promoting trade and connectivity between the two countries,” the commerce ministry said in a statement issued after the meeting.

“The opening of this border is expected to facilitate smooth movement of goods and people, further enhancing economic cooperation.” it said.

The commerce minister had emphasised the importance of opening new border markets and implementing a barter trade system to facilitate greater commercial exchange. These measures, he believed, would contribute to a significant surge in trade volume between Iran and Pakistan.

Mr Qamar also stressed the importance of expediting the long-delayed Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline.

Discussions to build the pipeline began in 1995, but it has not yet been completed, mainly due to lack of funds in Pakistan and complications posed by US sanctions over Iran’s nuclear activities.

“The minister stressed the importance of expediting the project, as it holds immense potential for energy cooperation between the two countries,” the statement said.

“He pledged his commitment to resolve any obstacles and move forward with the pipeline, which would bring substantial benefits to both nations.”

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2023