Pakistant, Iran committee members to jointly visit 'sister ports'

Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security of Iran, Allauddin Boroujerdi in Islamabad proposed joint visit of Gwadar and Chabahar ports by members of Pakistani and Iranian foreign affairs committees.
This visit is aimed at dispelling notion that Gwadar and Chabahar are competitors. Date for proposed visit would be finalised by diplomatic sources.
Boroujerdi, during his visit to Pakistan, vehemently dismissed this notion that there exists any sort of competition between two ports but unusual interest of India in construction and upgradation of Iranian port creates doubts in Pakistani camp. It may be recalled that India has poured huge investment in Chabahar.
Gwadar Port will see 40 million tonnes of cargo going through it upon completion which would be far greater in numbers than its neighbouring Iranian Port whereas joint capacity of all Indian ports stand at 50 million tonnes.
Gwadar and Chabahar are deep sea ports with distance of merely 72 miles. Both ports would provide employment to millions whereas two neighbouring countries view these ports as dawn of new economic age.
Addressing news conference in Islamabad on Friday, Allauddin Boroujerdi said Pakistan and Iran had agreed to enhance bilateral trade from one billion to five billion dollars.
He said Gwadar and Chabahar were sister ports, and they would help boost bilateral trade.
He said Iran Pakistan Gas Pipeline was on the top priorities of both the countries.