Pak, Iran pledge expanded economic cooperation

Pakistan and Iran today agreed to deepen their economic ties in various fields, including the stalled pipeline project to fetch gas to the energy-starved country, as Tehran looked for ways to exploit its potential following a historic nuclear deal with world powers.
"We agreed that enhancing bilateral collaboration in the energy sector was one of the major areas of mutually beneficial cooperation," Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told a joint press conference with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif here.
Zarif earlier today held talks with Aziz which focused on economic cooperation and regional security.
Aziz said they discussed the progress on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, with Islamabad expressing resolve to start work on the construction of the project at the earliest.

Pakistan and Iran have been negotiating the revival of the stalled project connecting Iran to energy-starved Pakistan, following last month's historic nuclear deal between Tehran and the so-called P5+1 world powers.
Iran completed its part of the project in 2013, but work was put on hold by Pakistan because of sanctions by US and Europe on Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme.

Aziz said economic integration and connectivity within the region should be improved in order to achieve better economic and commercial activity.
He welcomed Iran's nuclear agreement signed last month, hoping that it will lead to peace on an international level.

Zarif said Iran was committed to expand its economic ties with Pakistan, besides increasing this cooperation on regional level.
The Iranian foreign minister said, during the talks, both sides discussed extremism and Iran urged Pakistan to play its role in eliminating extremism, sectarianism and militancy from the region.
Zarif, who met Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said they discussed economic cooperation and security issues.
"PM Nawaz and I discussed to increase cooperation between the two countries in sectors ranging from oil to gas, energy, transportation and others," he said.
He said violence, insecurity and terrorism in the region, the Middle East and in general, needs to be dealt with.

Iran fully supports dialogue between Taliban and Afghan government with the assistance of Pakistan and hoped a very positive outcome which will help bring peace and security in the region, Zarif said.
This was Zarif's second visit to Pakistan this year.
"It is a great pleasure and honour to be back in Pakistan within a time span of four to five months," he said.