ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday inaugurated a 100 megawatts Polan-Gabd electricity transmission line project at the Mand-Pishin crossing point of the Pakistan-Iran border.
Through the transmission line, Iran will transport electricity to Gwadar, a new port city in Balochistan province.
The Polan-Gabd project to import 110 megawatts of electricity from Iran was launched by Shehbaz Sharif. There is potential to raise Pakistan’s power imports from Iran to 500MW from the present 200MW.
“The joint inauguration is a manifestation of the strong commitment of Pakistan and Iran to uplift the welfare of residents of the neighbouring provinces of Balochistan and Sistan-Baluchestan, respectively,” the Foreign Office stated in a statement.
A sustenance marketplace was also inaugurated at the Mand-Pishin crossing point by both the leaders. This was one of the six border markets that will be built along the shared border between Pakistan and Iran.
The border will offer a strong foundation for boosting cross-border trade, promoting economic expansion, and opening up fresh commercial opportunities for regional companies.
Additionally, as a sign of progress in their bilateral relations, the two leaders planted a sapling on the grounds of the border market.
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the project, pending since 2009, was finished in a record-breaking four months under the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to her, the project will open up prospects for commerce, business, and employment that will boost the future prosperity of the residents of Gwadar and Balochistan.
To formally meet with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, the prime minister traveled from Gwadar to the Pishin region of Balochistan near the Pakistan-Iran border. Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan also accompanied the prime minister.
They were welcomed by Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, Zubeda Jalal, BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal and Khalid Magsi. The chief secretary and police chief of Balochistan were also present.
