Pakistan, Iran agree to start regular bus service

Islamabad, Apr 17: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to commence a regular bus service between Quetta-Zahedan-Mashhad route.

According to an official Associated Press of Pakistan report, a decision to start the service was taken at a meeting between senior Pakistani and Iranian transport officials at Tehran yesterday.

The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence the service at the earliest. Iranian Minister of Road and Transportation Mohammad Rahmati and his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui led their respective delegations at the talks.

The heads of the two delegations reviewed the current status of bilateral transport relations in detail and agreed to establish four working committees in the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Transport Meeting.

During the meeting, Road and Transport experts of both the countries discussed matters pertaining to International Road Transport Agreement and the commencement of passengers transport services between the two countries and showed satisfaction over the progress made during the discussions.

About bus service, both sides agreed that private companies of both countries from passenger transport sector should meet within a month at Zahedan to finalise the procedure for the bus service.

Both sides agreed to hold meeting of Road Transport Committee in Pakistan within two months to resolve the other issues relating to payment of extra charges by the authorities of both the countries from the transporters/carriers operating under the bilateral road transport agreement signed by Islamic Republic of Iran and Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

In order to create smooth and fast rail transportation between the two countries, the Iranian side suggested the Pakistani side for rehabilitation of Taftan- Quetta railway with standard gauge.

Pakistan welcomed the proposal and informed that the decision regarding the type of gauge of Taftan- Quetta railway line shall be decided soon by Pakistan railway.

UNI