Modalities on Pakistan, Iran New Bus Service Next Week
'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: A high level Iranian delegation is due here next week to finalize modalities for launch of Islamabad-Zahidan-Mashhad bus service.

“The commencement of this new bus service will help promote people to people contacts and bilateral trade with Iran”, a source in Ministry of Communications said.

During First Joint Comprehensive Transport Meeting held in Tehran in April Pakistan and Iran agreed to start regular bus service between Quetta-Zahedan-Mashhad route and agreed that more routes would be added later.

A bus between Quetta and Zahedan was running successfully but Pakistani Zaireen have to travel by local buses upto Mashhad. He said that construction work of bus terminal on Pak-Iran border will be completed by year end.

Minister for Communications Shamim Siddiqui visited Iran in April and during his visit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Road and Transportation of Iran and Ministry of Communications for launch of new bus service.

Both countries have also signed International Road Transport Agreement which will prove a milestone in promoting trade with Iran and Central Asian countries.

The source said that under this agreement Iran will provide transit facilities to all countries which have bilateral agreements with Pakistan and vice versa.●