Pak starts constructing gate at Iran border

Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the Torkham gate between Islamabad and Kabul, the Pakistani authorities yesterday began building a gate at the country's border with Iran at Taftan to curb illegal trade.

Frontier Corps Sector Commander Brigadier Khalid Beg and Balochistan Collector Customs Saeed Ahmed Jadoon laid the foundation stone of the 'Pakistan Gate' at Taftan in Chagai district, reports Dawn.

Being built at a cost of Rs. 15 million, the construction of this gate will be completed in two months and the gate will be inaugurated on Independence Day (Aug 14).

Iran has already constructed a trade gate inside its border at Mir Java in Zahedan, capital of Sistan and Baluchestan province, and has been demanding that Pakistan build a similar gate on its side of the border.

Speaking at the ceremony, Beg said that it would be a trade gate and will also assist in making border management more effective

Jadoon on his part said the gate was being jointly constructed by the Balochistan customs and the Frontier Corps, adding it would help curb illegal trade on both sides of the border.

The government is also constructing a 'Pakistan House' at Taftan to provide facilities to the people going to Iran and Iraq for pilgrimage.