Pak-Iran border’s third crossing point inaugurating today

Pakistan-Iran border’s third crossing point Pishin-Mand to facilitate the trade is being inaugurated today.

Rasoul Mousavi Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran for West Asia announced the opening of the third border crossing on Twitter.

Accordingly, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, is on a three-day visit to Iran. The inauguration ceremony will be held in his presence.

Earlier, In November 2020, Javad Zarif Foreign Minister of Iran had urged authorities to open the Pishin-Mand crossing during his visit to Pakistan.

Moreover, In December 2020, the two countries had inaugurated the Rimdan-Gabd border gateway. It was the second crossing point between Pakistan and Iran.

The border between Pakistan and Iran is 959-km-long with already existing two crossing points. However, trade has been insignificant between the two countries due to sanctions on Iran. Currently, the volume of bilateral trade is $359 million.

Both Iran and Pakistan believe that setting up border markets over crossing points will improve bilateral trade. Recently, after reaching Iran, Mr Qureshi tweeted that Iran had agreed to end restrictions on citrus imports from Pakistan.

He tweeted, “Always a pleasure to be in Iran and I am pleased to share some good news for our citrus farmers. Following discussions, happy to announce that Iran has lifted restrictions on the import of Pakistan’s Kinnow.”

Moreover, Mr Qureshi would meet with his counterpart, Mr Zarif. During his stay in Iran, he will also meet President Hassan Rouhani and Majlis Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf. During this visit the third crossing point will be inaugurated.

The Foreign Office said, “During the delegation-level talks, the two Foreign Ministers would review bilateral relations. Intending to further deepening cooperation in diverse fields.”

Furthermore, it added that “The two sides will discuss regional security situations including the latest developments in the Afghan Peace Process and the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. They will also deliberate on strengthening regional cooperation under the umbrella of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).”

Meanwhile, Waheed Ahmed welcomed the announcement made by the Foreign Minister for citrus farmers. Waheed Ahmed is the chief patron of the All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters Importers Association.

In a tweet, Waheed Ahmed said Iran was a big market for Pakistan’s Kinnow. He hoped that the opening of a third crossing point would help boost bilateral legal trade between the two countries. He said, “We hope that other trade barriers will also be removed soon.”