Karachi: Iranian Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam during dinner with Karachi Council On Foreign Relations (KCFR) expressed his condolence to Palestinian people for their plight.

He said that Iran and Pakistan have lot of cultural, religious language commonalities and links and that we share 900 km border. He said that Iran wishes to expand Pak-Iran ties in all areas especially in field of commerce and economy.

He said that it is possible to create east west road links, which would greatly improve trade. He said that CPEC projects which are next to Iran, have potential to increase bilateral trade of goods and energy and oil between Pakistan and Iran.

He appreciated role of think tanks like KCFR to promoting better relations between two countries such as nanotechnology and in field medicines. Replying to question, he said that agreement between Russia, Iran and Pakistan in under formulation after which trade links between three countries would greatly increase and that KCFR should take on to make general public aware of such agreements.

He said that Iran will not have any issues in trading with Pakistan in Yuans instead of dollars and that it would depend upon banks in Iran and Pakistan to form such procedures for using Yuan for trade between Iran and Pakistan.

He added that all United Nations restrictions including military and defense sanctions had been lifted from Iran. For air cargo, Pakistani and Iranian airlines should negotiate with each other, for trade of perishables. Replying to another question about gas pipeline agreement he replied that deal had been signed 10-12 years ago and Iran had fulfilled its commitments until their border however, Pakistan had not extended its gas pipeline to their shared border, due to understandably, outside pressure and from other countries.

He said issue is under consideration and would be resolved soon, with discussions between Pakistan Energy Minister and his Iranian counterpart. Ambassador hoped that pipeline would be operational as this project was of vital importance both to Iran and Pakistan.

Replying to another question Ambassador replied that many ideas are being floated to facilitate direct trade, instead of through Dubai, with Pakistan for directly transferring goods and it is possible however, interested parties should approach Iranian embassy for detailed guidance.

Replying to another question about Muslim disunity, especially on Palestine issue, he agreed that Iran too wanted to have unified Muslim approach and that efforts for this endeavor had ever been taken since Iranian Revolution, he continued that United States wants to remove Hamas from Palestine and they allow Israel to continue bombing hospitals, masajid and churches in Gaza. He said issue cannot be resolved till Zionists existed.

Dr. Huma Baqai senior Vice Chairperson of KCFR noted that world was now at crossroads and Iran has stood by right side of history. She said that geographical location of Pakistan and Iran creates huge potential for them to be close allies and that KCFR is doing its part in creating bridges between two countries.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 23 2023

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