ISLAMABAD - Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani yesterday announced his country was responsible for meeting Pakistan’s energy needs, adding it was their commitment in the areas of electricity and gas.

Addressing Pakistan-Iran Joint Business Forum, he reiterated his country’s commitment to take trade volume between the two brotherly states to US$5 billion in next five years.

Reciprocating the affinity shown by the Iranian president, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stressed the need to further fortify bilateral relations between the two brotherly states which are rooted in cultural and historic affinities
“In the presence of the prime minister of Pakistan, the officials, the authorities, tradesmen, entrepreneurs and delegates, I announce Iran is responsible for provision of Pakistan’s energy security.
This is our commitment in the area of electricity.
This is our commitment in the area of gas.
Of course, we have to fulfill our responsibility,” Rouhani said in translated comment.

Nawaz Sharif who reiterated his government’s resolve to inject around 12,000MW of electricity by 2018 and another 13,000MW afterwards as the country was actively executing various power projects.

Rouhani said gas pipeline has reached Pakistani border and bilateral cooperation for provision of electricity and gas would surely meet Pakistan’s needs in the energy sector.

The Iranian president lauded the struggle of Pakistan Army for peace in the country and the achievements it had made.

Rouhani suggested that both the brotherly countries should enhance cooperation in banking sector, besides increasing role of private sector by engaging in the fields of trade, economy and academics.

Nawaz said interaction between eminent businessmen from Pakistan and Iran would expand bilateral economic cooperation.
He said the bilateral ties were rooted in cultural and historic affinities; however, this closeness was not reflected in trade and investment.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan’s economy had emerged from the challenge of extremism that had caused the loss of the country’s two percent of GDP.

He said it was a matter of concern that despite having 70 percent of natural resources, total GDP of the Muslim world was below the mark.

Later, addressing a news conference, Rouhani said Iran had completed work on its side of a much-delayed pipeline pumping natural gas to Pakistan and would be in a position to provide gas to its energy-starved neighbour in a few months.

“Iran has constructed this gas pipeline up to the border of Pakistan and we are ready to deliver the gas to Pakistan at our borders.
We have almost completed our share,” Rouhani said.
“It is now up to Pakistan to initiate work on its side.
”
He said Iran was also interested in connectivity between Pakistan’s Gwadar and the Chabahar port in southeast Iran through roads, railways and shipping lines, adding the projects would help integrate China into the region.

He said Iran was already selling 1,000 MW of electricity to Pakistan and would increase this up to 3,000 MW.

Responding to a query, Rouhani maintained regional issues could not be resolved militarily and referred to Iran’s nuclear deal with the world powers as an indication of peaceful tactics to sort out differences.

He said he had also talked with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the issues confronted by the Muslim world.

Replying to a query about the Afghan peace process, Rouhani said both Pakistan and Iran had always held consultations and collaborated on the issue.
“During my talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, we have specifically talked about the issue,” he said, adding his country fully agreed to a proposal by the Pakistani side for holding trilateral talks among Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

About Iran-Saudi tensions, Rouhani said Iran was not interested in any tensions as it was a peace-loving country.
Different Muslim countries, including Pakistan, had offered to resolve the issue, he added.

He stressed that any problem among the Muslim countries should be resolved as the Muslim world required peace, progress and prosperity.

To another question, the President said Pakistan and Iran had agreed for steps for more secure common borders, which would also help increase bilateral trade through setting up border market places.

THE NATION

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