Pakistan, Iran working for joint border markets to boost trade activities: Iran’s Ambassador

Pakistan and Iran are working together to establish two new border crossings and six joint border markets to boost the trade activities between the two countries.

Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Ali Hosseini in an interview with News and Current Affairs Channel of Radio Pakistan said both countries are committed to enhance the existing trade volume of one point four billion dollars to over five billion dollars in the next couple of years.

He said currently one border crossing at Taftan border is operational for trade while new new border crossings are being established at Pak-Iran border in Pashin and Rimdan.

The Iranian Ambassador said both countries are working to establish six joint border markets and priority work is focussed on three markets.

He said Pakistan and Iran have commonalities in all aspects particularly religion, history and culture and frequent high level visits have increased cooperation in all sectors for mutual benefit and development.

The Iranian envoy expressed full confidence that both countries have the potential to increase trade and economic cooperation besides security collaboration.

He said fencing of over 900 kilometers long border will prevent the miscreants and smuggling of goods.

In reply to a question, Mohammad Ali Hosseini said Tehran is extending full cooperation to the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding its peaceful nuclear program and fully committed to international obligations.

On Afghanistan, the Iranian Ambassador said the OIC Foreign Ministers’ recent meeting in Islamabad was a good initiative of Pakistan in highlighting the humanitarian issue in the war-torn country and currently over five thousand refugees are daily entering Iran.

He further said European countries should extend help to avert the catastrophe in Afghanistan.

The Ambassador said Iran is fully committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan as the instability in Kabul will directly affect all regional countries particularly Pakistan and Iran.

He said Pakistan and Iran have regular consultation and interaction for the security on the common border and in the region and institutional level mechanism exists to prevent miscreants.

The weekly program “Diplomatic Session” was hosted by renowned journalist and columnist Javed Siddiq while Producer of the program was Rana Ghulam Mustafa and Executive Producer Abdul Raoof Khan.

The weekly program “Diplomatic Session” is being broadcast from News and Current Affairs Channel and FM 101 networks of Radio Pakistan on Saturday at 1815 hrs.

The show is also available on Radio Pakistan’s official website “www.radio.gov.pk”, Social Media Platforms and Radio Pakistan’s Podcast “podcast.radio.gov.pk”

Source: Radio Pakistan

Punjab govt declares Murree calamity hit area

Punjab government has declared Murree a calamity hit area in view of the situation arising there because of heavy snowfall.

In a statement, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar announced to impose emergency in Murree.

In view of the situation emergency has been declared in all the important departments including police, administration, rescue 1122 and hospitals.

Usman Buzdar said that evacuating the stranded tourists is our top priority. He said that rest houses and other public sector places have been opened in Murree and adjoining areas. He said the tourists are being provided with necessary relief items including food items.

The Punjab Chief Minister has also given his helicopter for rescue activities.

Source: Radio Pakistan

President, PM extend condolence over tragic deaths of tourists at Murree

President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic deaths of tourists at Murree.

In a commiseration message on Saturday, the President extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

In a tweet on Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the unprecedented snowfall and rush of people proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district administration unprepared.

The Prime Minister also ordered inquiry into the incident of tragic deaths and putting in place strong regulation to ensure prevention of such tragedies in future.

Source: Radio Pakistan