RAWALPINDI, April 9: Pakistan and Iran will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on environmental issues on Tuesday. The federal Minister for Environment Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, who is currently on a three-day visit to Tehran, will sign the MoU on behalf of Pakistan.

The MoU will also seek to promote tourism between the two countries, apart from cooperation in preventing air pollution, waste management and bio-diversity.

Hayat met the vice president and head of the Iranian department of environment Dr. Fatemeh Vaez-Javadi in Tehran on Monday. Javadi was briefed on various initiatives taken by the Pakistan government regarding protection of environment. Javadi said that Iran and Pakistan should also expand cooperation in tourism. Hayat also discussed government policy measures related to the environment and sanitation.

The federal minister for water and power Liaquat Ali Jatoi is also in Tehran for talks with the Iranian government on expanding cooperation in the energy sector in particular oil, gas, electricity and infrastructure. Mr. Jatoi had held talks with the first vice president Parviz Davoudi.