$5-billion trade on Iran, Pakistan agenda, says envoy

Zahedan, Sistan-Baluchestan Prov, Nov 12, IRNA – Pakistan and Iran intend to boost bilateral trade level between the two neighboring nations to five billion dollars annually, says the Pakistani envoy to Iran. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have agreed to enhance the level of trade between Iran and Pakistan to five billion dollars annually, said Asif Ali Durrani, Pakistani Ambassador to Tehran. Asif Ali Durrani, who following his arrival in the Sistan-Baluchestan provincial capital of Zahedan Friday evening took part in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency, said that three months after his appointment as the Pakistani envoy to Iran, he was visiting Iran's southeastern province in a bid to explore new ways to further already good and friendly relations between Tehran and Islamabad. 'Trade ties between Iran and Pakistan should be enhanced and the border areas could play a positive role in achieving this goal,' he said. The Pakistani ambassador is expected to visit the port city of Chabahar, too. Iran and Pakistan share a common border of more than 900 kilometers. 1378/IRNA