Pakistan and Iran on Monday held formal talks for opening up more road links to boost trade between the two neighbouring countries. A two-day meeting of Pak-Iran Joint Committee on Road Transportation started in Quetta to discuss various issues confronting the transporters and traders of both the countries, a statement issued here said.
Firdaus Alam, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Communications is heading the 11 members Pakistani delegation comprising of officials from foreign office, export promotion bureau, national logistic cell, customs, commercial counsellor, embassy of Pakistan at Tehran, national highway authority, ministry of communications and members of transport associations and chamber of commerce and industry.
Ahmed Khastkhodaie, Director General Transportation and Terminal headed the 10-member Iranian delegation that consists of experts, members and representatives of transportation and road.
Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Firdaus Alam stressed on the importance of road transportation in economic and trade development of the two countries.
The two sides have met twice previously to resolve the issues confronting transport and road sector. "In fact, these are not issues but the experiences of the transporters, traders and truck drivers while operating road transportation under the bilateral agreement," Firdaus said.
"These experiences are trivial in nature and there is no doubt in my mind that we will reach a consensus and understanding to solve these problems during the talks," he was quoted as saying.
He further hoped that two sides will made every endeavour to come up with the solution of the problems so that trade without any hassle between the two brotherly Muslim countries could be facilitated.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Khastkhodaie, Director General, Transportation and Terminal (head of delegation) said the objective of Iran is to have strong trade links among the Muslim countries.
For commercial and economic development, he stressed that developed road transportation system with rules and regulations is imperative and also easy to follow by traders and transporters. "We are here to resolve all difficulties facing the transporters of both the country through talks," he vowed.
Brigadier Ashfaq-ur-Rehman Pirzada, Director General, NLC gave a detailed briefing about the facilities extended by the cell to the drivers of Iran. Atiq Ahmad, General Manager, NHA, Balochistan in his presentation about N-40 (Lakpass Taftan) stated that work is in progress to improve the road condition and built it of international standards. Both the countries will also check the menace of overloading.