Iranian Economy Minister in Pakistan to Discuss Gas, Electricity Exports
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Ali Tayyebnia, heading a high-ranking economic delegation, started a visit to Pakistan on Monday to hold talks on ways to promote trade ties, particularly Iran’s gas and electricity exports to Pakistan.
The Iranian delegation is expected to attend the 19th session of Iran-Pakistan joint economic commission due to be held on Monday.
During his two-day visit, the Iranian economy minister plans to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan.
The two sides will focus on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and Iran's electricity exports to Pakistan, according to Pakistani media reports.
Iran and Pakistan signed an agreement for the construction of a gas pipeline in 1995.
The Iran-Pakistan pipeline is designed to help Pakistan overcome its growing energy needs at a time when the country of over 180 million people is grappling with serious energy shortages.
The final construction phase of the IP pipeline was inaugurated on March 11, 2013. Iran has already built 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.
Pakistan, however, has fallen short of constructing the 700-kilometer part of the pipeline on its territory.
