Pakistan, Iran for energy cooperation including IP Gas Pipeline

ISLAMABAD– Pakistan and Iran “reiterated the importance of cooperation in the energy domain, including trade in electricity, power transmission lines, and the IP Gas Pipeline Project,” according to a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office following Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s three-day official visit on Wednesday.

“The two sides agreed to further expand trade and economic cooperation and affirmed their commitment to transform their common border from ‘border of peace’ to a ‘border of prosperity’ through joint development-oriented economic projects, including setting up of joint border markets, economic free zones, and new border openings,” the statement went on to say.

As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Raisi discussed a variety of issues, they decided to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion over the next five years.

They also emphasized the importance of a long-term, sustainable economic collaboration and a collaborative regional economic and connectivity paradigm, particularly for socioeconomic development in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan and Pakistan’s Balochistan.

Terrorism is a common threat.

Pakistan and Iran condemned terrorism in all its forms and expressions, claiming that it represented a common threat to regional peace and stability and hampered regional development.

They agreed to take a collaborative approach to confronting this threat, leveraging existing bilateral institutional mechanisms to effectively combat and counter it, while adhering to the principles of the UN Charter, particularly the principles of member states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides recognized the importance of increased economic and commercial prospects in enhancing the security situation in border areas.

At the same time, they emphasized the necessity of regular collaboration and exchange of views between the two nations’ political, military, and security leaders in combating threats such as terrorism, drug smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, and kidnapping.

AFGHANISTAN

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to Afghanistan’s development as a peaceful, united, sovereign, and independent state free of terrorism and drug trafficking.

Recognizing that the presence of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan poses a severe danger to regional and global security, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening counter-terrorism and security cooperation and developing a united front against terrorism.

While preserving Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the two sides agreed that expanding participation of all Afghans in basic decision-making would promote the country’s peace and stability.

BARTER TRADE

The joint statement also mentions a complete consensus to fully operationalize barter trade mechanisms to facilitate economic and commercial activity, particularly under ongoing collaborative efforts, such as border sustenance markets, which would contribute to improving the economic situation of local residents while also enhancing border security.

Connectivity and Cooperation

Pakistan and Iran also emphasized the necessity of leveraging their different geographic locations to promote connectivity between the two countries as well as across the region.

In this regard, Pakistan and Iran, as partners of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), have stated a firm commitment to expanding cooperation in connectivity, infrastructure development, and energy sectors. The two countries also agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial and long-term ties between the sister ports of Gwadar and Chahbahar.

They agreed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was an important forum for regional security and development, and they emphasized the importance of resuming the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group’s activities as soon as possible to coordinate efforts to maintain regional stability and strengthen economic ties.

Peaceful Resolution of Disputes

“Taking note of developments at regional and global levels, both sides stressed the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy to find mutually acceptable solutions to common challenges,” according to a joint statement.

Both sides emphasized the need of resolving the Kashmir issue through discussion and peaceful means, in accordance with the wishes of the people of the region and international law.

ISRAELI AGRESSION

At the same time, the countries expressed their unequivocal condemnation of the Israeli regime’s ongoing aggression and atrocities against the Palestinian people, as well as the inhumane blockade of Gaza, which has resulted in widespread death and destruction and the displacement of millions of Palestinians.

They demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza’s beleaguered population, the return of displaced Palestinians, and accountability for the Israeli regime’s crimes.

They emphasized their support for a just, comprehensive, and long-term settlement based on the Palestinian people’s aspirations.

Furthermore, the two sides strongly condemned the attack on the Consular Section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, which violated Syria’s sovereignty and threatened its stability and security.

Recognizing that the irresponsible act of Israeli regime forces was a significant escalation in an already volatile region, both sides urged the UN Security Council to prevent Israel’s adventurism in the region, as well as its illegal attacks on its neighbours and foreign diplomatic facilities.