'Pakistan gate' being built at Iran border

Islamabad, June 18:Amid the tension between Islamabad and Kabul over construction of a gate at Torkham border crossing, the Pakistani side is 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 on Friday laid the foundation stone of the 'Pakistan Gate' at Taftan in Chagai district, Dawn online reported.

The construction of the gate will complete in two months at a cost of Rs 15 million. It will be inaugurated on the country's Independence Day (August 14).

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

Iran has also erected 10-foot-high walls at various places along with its border with Pakistan.

Speaking at the Taftan ceremony, Beg said the purpose of building the gate was to make border management more effective.

He said the trade gate would facilitate thousands of traders and tourists crossing into Pakistan.

Jadoon said the gate would be a symbol of the country on the border.

He said although the gate was needed by Pakistan to improve border management, it was also requested by the Iranians. 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 people going to Iran and Iraq for pilgrimage.

"The construction of Pakistan House is in progress and will be completed soon," said Chagai Commissioner Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani.

IANS