By IRNA,
Islamabad : Former economic advisor Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan on Sunday stressed the need for cooperation between Pakistan and Iran private sectors to further cement economic relations.
Talking to IRNA, he said the economic relations of Pakistan and Iran are very strong at government level but the private sector should also play its part to overcome the economic challenges being faced by the two counties.
“What is required is the cooperation between the private sectors of both countries”, he suggested.
Commenting on the Iran-Pak relations, Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan said the two countries are very close to each other. ‘They are close culturally, religiously and also share same customs’, he said.
Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan said that Iran is a respectful country and Pakistan has always given importance to its relations with Iran.
He was of the view that both countries were very close mentally and they shared the same sentiments for each other.
He added that Pakistan and Iran are founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). “Earlier, they had formed the RCD which later became the ECO”, he said.
He opined bilaeral relations should further expand in the economic arena.
He said the most important project for the extension of Pakistan-Iran economic ties is the completion of IPI gas pipeline project.
Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan said that Iran could play a major role in the economic development of Pakistan by providing energy for industrial sector.
“Iran is an energy surplus country and can also provide electricity as it has already pledged 55 million dollars for the construction of transmission line in Balochistan”, said Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan.
“I personally feel we have strong economic ties but they should be enhanced further by cooperation in energy sector”, he viewed.
He said that Iran is also a major importer of Pakistani rice but there is a room for improvement in the trade between the two countries.