Speaking on the sidelines of the Iranian president's visit to Pakistan, Owji said: Pakistan awaits gas injection and has started negotiations with a number of companies to conclude a construction contract to bring the pipeline on stream.

Given the initiatives taken by the Pakistani side, we hope the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline to become operational and gas export to the neighboring country to be started during the tenure of the 13th administration.

Accompanying Iranian president in his two-day visit to Pakistan, Iranian minister of petroleum held a meeting with Petroleum Minister of Pakistan Musadik Malik, with reinforcing energy cooperation high on the agenda. In addition to oil and gas, exports of technical and engineering services was the other issue on the agenda.  

The Petroleum Minister of Pakistan, on the other hand, said the two countries have astonishing opportunities for deepening economic and trade relations.

He continued: we held talks about a variety of relevant issues and we will continue these negotiations in the future.

The  two sides will continue their cooperation to the benefit of Iran and Pakistan nations and the region, he added.

Iran’s gas export pipeline to Pakistan was designed and  implemented fifteen years ago in Iran territory but its construction in Pakistan soil lags far behind the schedule due to different reasons.