Sheikh Rasheed meets Iranian president

TEHRAN: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during the inauguration of Rasht-Qazvin railway in Rasht, capital of the Gilan province in Iran, reported ARY News.

Later speaking to Iran’s state-owned television, he said Pakistan wanted to benefit from the Iranian railway network. Highlighting the significance of ties between the two neighbouring countries, he said Islamabad wanted to promote bilateral ties with Iran.

He participated in the inauguration ceremony of the Rasht-Qazvin railway project on the invitation of the Iranian government.

Earlier, on March 6, the minister had said that Pakistan could send its products to central Asian and European states using the Iranian rail network.

He said Iran and Pakistan should cooperate in building railway links between Taftan and Quetta and Chahbahar and Gwadar. Pakistan has requested the Iranian authorities to invest in improving Zahidan and Taftan railways and his Iranian counterpart had assured to extend cooperation in this regard, he added.

He said that he met Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development Muhammad Eslami and discussed enhancing cooperation in railway.

Rasheed is currently on a three-day official visit of Iran.