ISLAMABAD: Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost called upon Pakistan to promote trade and investment with Iran following the lifting of sanctions on Tehran.

During a meeting with Chairman of Board of Investment (BOI), Miftah Ismail, the Iranian envoy suggested an early meeting of Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission, saying that the agreements already signed between the two countries should be implemented.

Ambassador Honardoost showed great interest in linking Iran with CPEC projects, as they are capable and have the capacity to develop infrastructure, power generation, transmission line, energy and construction projects.

He also said that the Iranian government is interested in establishing a power transmission line to Pakistan to boost the electricity supply from 500MW to 3000 MW.

BOI Chairman Miftah Ismail stated that Pakistan government was keen to boost trade and Investment with Iran.

As for energy and power transmission line to Pakistan, he explained that it is very difficult to buy electricity from Iran and transmit the same through Balochistan, because the areas of Balochistan are sparsely populated, nor passing the transmission lines through Balochistan province to any other province of Pakistan is possible its due to cost benefit ratio. Therefore, the project perhaps may not be feasible to Pakistan.

Mr Miftah Ismail agreed with the ambassador for exchange of business delegations between the two countries, formation of joint economic commission and promotion of trade and investment in all potential sectors like infrastructure, construction and power generation.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2016