Pakistan, Iran discuss gas pipeline project
Tehran to attend Donors’ moot

ISLAMABAD—Dr. Ali Saeed Lou, Vice-President (Executive Affairs) of the Islamic Republic of Iran Saturday called on President Pervez Musharraf and delivered a message from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, conveying heartfelt sympathies on the devastating earthquake that struck Pakistan on 8th October.
The Iranian Vice-President, who arrived here on Friday, was accompanied by a 7-member delegation including Head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Deputy Minister for Health and Senior Government officials.
The President expressed appreciation for the prompt and generous relief assistance extended by Iran. He noted in particular the efficient performance of Iran’s field hospital and medical teams in Balakot and Garhi Habibullah.
Thanking the Iranian government, the president said that Iran’s genuine concern was reflective of the close brotherly ties that bind the two peoples together.
During talks with the president, Pak-Iran bilateral relations, including the gas pipeline project, also came under discussion. Efforts would be made to pace up progress on the pipeline project, he added.
The volume of trade would be raised to $1 billion utilizing full trade potential on both sides. Iran expressed its readiness to attend the Donors’ conference scheduled for 19 November in Islamabad.
Iran was among the first few countries to rush rescue and relief assistance to earthquake-hit areas in Pakistan. It has so far sent 12 plane-loads of relief goods. Iran has established one field hospital at Garhi Habibullah and two mobile hospitals in Balakot.
It has also provided 11 ambulances and a 35-member relief and medical team. In addition, Iran would provide ten thousand tents in about a week’s time. It would set up an artificial limb manufacturing facility in Pakistan. Tehran has also offered generous cooperation in long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation.—INP