ISLAMABAD: Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development Dr Abbas Akhundi on Thursday in a meeting with Minister for Railway Khawaja Saad Rafique showed interest in connecting Gwadar with Chabahar through rail link.

It was revealed during a visit of an Iranian delegation headed by Minister for Roads Iran to the Ministry of Railways, Islamabad, a news releases said.

Both sides showed interest in strengthening the Pakistan and Iran rail link by upgrading 1959 Agreement between both countries.

Pakistan –Iran Passenger Train, Tourist Train, Special Train during Muharram were also conferred. Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Railways also welcomed Iranian companies to improve Quetta –Taftan section on BOT basis.

Due to development in this section the time of expedition will be shortened to 8 hours from 20 hours. He asked for makeup of Joint Group for Pakistan and Iran rail relation and Zubair Shafi Ghauri, Secretary Railway Board, Ministry of Railways will be the focal person of the group.

This group will study development in ML III and advantages of trade through rail network between two countries. He asked for bilateral meetings between Pakistan and Iran for ECO Train and later multi-lateral meeting between Turkey and other two countries. He commented that both nations have close relations with each other.

The meeting was also attended by Aleem Yar Mohammadi, Member of Iranian Parliament, Danyal Mohebbi, Governor General, Sistan O Balochistan Province, Hissain Ashore, Member, Board of Director, Railways Company, Iran.

While representatives from Ministry of Railways, Pakistan included Parveen Agha, Chairperson, Anjum Pervaiz, Advisor, Mazhar Ali Shah, DG Planning, Munawar Ali Shah, DG Operation and Imran Haider, Director Planning also attended the meeting.