ISLAMABAD, 29 April 2008 — Pakistan and Iran yesterday resolved all issues regarding the $7.5 billion gas pipeline project, paving the way for inking an agreement soon at a mutually agreed date in Tehran.
Iran also agreed to provide 1,100 MW of electricity to Pakistan to help it overcome the shortage, particularly in areas adjoining Iran.
President Pervez Musharraf and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in over an hourlong talks at the Aiwan-e-Sadr deliberated on their bilateral ties, issues faced by the region and the Islamic world and the trilateral cooperation between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan with a view to bringing peace and stability to the region. The Iranian President who made a brief “official stopover” at Pakistan, while on his way to Sri Lanka, led a high-level delegation including its Foreign and Commerce Ministers, besides its Minister for Petroleum and head of EXIM Bank of Iran.
The two leaders held an exclusive meeting. Later they were joined by their respective delegations.
Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi later told reporters that the talks were positive and covered all aspects of their wide-ranging relationship.
“The two leaders said the IPI project will promote peace and friendship,” Qureshi said and added that the two foreign ministers have been tasked to agree on a mutually convenient date for signing the agreement.
He said the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the resolution of all issues that had delayed a final agreement and hoped the project will help meet future energy needs of Pakistan.
Iran also gave a positive response to the Pakistani proposal for allowing a gas pipeline through its territory to provide gas to China, along the historic Karakoram Highway, Qureshi said.
The Iranian president said his country will provide 1,100 MW of electricity to Pakistan to help it meet its needs, particularly in Gwadar and adjoining areas. Currently Iran is providing 35 MW for areas adjoining the Pak-Iran border.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and stressed that peace and stability was vital for the region.
