ISLAMABAD, April 19: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to launch a bus service between the two countries through the Quetta-Zahidan-Mashhad route to further strengthen trade relations and people-to-people contact.

The International Road Transport Agreement and commencement of passengers’ transport services were agreed with Iran during the recent visit of Pakistani Minister for Communication Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui and Iranian Minister for Roads and Transport Mohammad Rahmati.

Mr Shamim said that it would go a long way in further strengthening brotherly relations between the two countries, bringing the people of both countries closer and increasing mutual and transit trade, and added that it would especially facilitate pilgrims interested in visiting holy shrines in Iran.

Formal talks for initiating transport services through the 650-km-long Quetta-Zahadan-Mashhad route started about 15 years back in 1992. The agreement, which took 15 years to materialize, speaks volumes about its importance.

The federal communication minister, who returned from his visit on Wednesday, briefed reporters about the agreement and its impacts on different aspects of the two countries here on Thursday.

He said the road is ready and transportation services will start soon. Representatives of tour operators, and transport officials of the two countries will meet in Quetta and Tehran next month to finalise the details of the agreement. They will also decide about the procedures, security issues, fares, fitness of buses and all other matters related to a smooth journey.