Iran’s interest in CPEC Partnership
Iran’s interest in CPEC Partnership
Editorial
Editorial

Iran has considering options of involvement with the proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with no objection of Saudi involvement as third major Partner CPEC project.

Iran has considering options of involvement with the proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with no objection of Saudi involvement as third major Partner CPEC project.

The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost said that we believe CPEC is a very important and giant project that can impact peace and cooperation among countries in the region.

Saudi’s investment plan near Iran border the Ambassador said, regional cooperation is one of the best ways to overcome from poverty and other problems we have in the region but we optimistic that one day the cooperation and interaction between all countries would come to one point. Iranian Government willing to par up bilateral trade with Pakistan up to five billion dollars.

“Iran is an important country in the regions with great potential and with all capabilities we have like transit line and all resources, may be without the energy and transit support of Iran the multi-billion dollars project couldn’t reach to its final steps.” Iranian Ambassador said added we ready to be part of CPEC with all our capabilities.

Saudi’s investment plan near Iran border the Ambassador said, regional cooperation is one of the best way to overcome from poverty and other problems we have in the region but we optimistic that one day the cooperation and interaction between all countries would come to one point,

“We expect that some third partner also looks the Iranian look as third partner regional cooperation and now we should set aside all these matters and differences and should start talks for Muslim Ummah’s unity.” Iranian Ambassador said added unfortunately the Muslim countries passing through a worsening time.

Assuring Iran’s full cooperation to increase Pak-Iran the ambassador said, though due to American Sanctions Pak-Iran trade would take time to get more strength but Iran Government willing to par up bilateral trade with Pakistan up to five billion dollars.

Recently, The six members delegation led by Saudi Minister for energy and mineral Ahmed Hamad Al Ghamdi reached Gwadar city and visited Gwadar Port.

Saudi Arabia has going to build an oil refinery in the deep-water port of Gwadar, which is currently being developed by China. Saudi Crown arrives in Pakistan visit and KSA government will MoU of Oil refinery projects als expected.

According to the experts, CPEC has the potential to stimulate much-needed economic activity in the country. But many CPEC projects have not really taken off because of political instability in Pakistan.

During the PML-N government Iranian Government had formally invited Pakistan Government to participate in the inauguration ceremony and Pakistan sent a high powered delegation where as Hasil Bizenjo attended the ceremony of Chah Bahar port inauguration.

Pakistan’s relations with Iran had improved markedly as Tehran responded more positively in defending the legitimate interests of Pakistan and the Iranian soil is not being used against Pakistan.

Chah Bahar-Zahedan Railway line will be parallel to the Quetta-Zehdan Railways as previous Pakistan Government had failed to upgrade the track for international trade Iran lost all hopes and contacted India to build the parallel railway line. Otherwise, Iran would have been relying heavily on Pakistan with rail facility.

The Both ports of Gwadar and Chabahar may become competitors in the not-so-distant future but it need not be a zero-sum game. Both Iran and Pakistan government should connect the ports and mutual economic cooperation under the umbrella of CPEC so that can be prove to be a win-win situation for both countries, provided that border policing is foolproof. This would inhibit any potential subversive activity. Two new border crossings between Iran and Pakistan also need to be properly developed as a priority.