Iran condoles Karachi heatwave deaths

During the holy month of Ramazan this year a very large number of our Pakistani brothers and sisters died because of terrible heat stroke in this country. Therefore, I and my colleagues in this Mission feel obliged to convey our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families and government of Pakistan over this tragic incident.
While having deep cultural, historical and religious affinity both the Iranian and Pakistani nations have always stood with each other in their odds and evens on previous occasions to share their sorrows and happiness. As such they cannot remain unmoved or indifferent towards their mutual interest whatsoever.
We are highly grieved by the casualties of our Pakistani brothers and sisters occurring due to extreme heat wave that was further intensified by loadshedding during the holy month of Ramazan. We regret for not providing them electricity to utilise from this blessings, which is quite abundant in Iran, due to non-availability of power transmission lines between both the countries.
While the fact is that today this horrendous phenomenon has badly affected the life of a common man in Pakistan after making its agricultural and industrial sectors fairly unstable but it is a huge country and the people here are very sober and hard working. We, therefore, believe if energy crisis is resolved this country can find a viable place in this entire region and also rest of the world by making great achievements in various sectors. Similarly, as a neighbouring country we wish and hope that Pakistan and its army will soon achieve success in eradicating terrorism in this country and resuscitating her economy.
It is quite obvious that a strong and peaceful Pakistan is in the interest of Iran and other countries of the region and we are quite optimistic that it can stand in the rows of developed countries if its economy is established.
As a friendly and neighbouring country Iran is willing to help Pakistan in different areas and energy sector is one of the most important sectors where both the countries can concentrate as much as possible. Iran is already exporting 74 megawatts electricity to Pakistan for use in Balochistan province. It has signed two MoUs with this country for the supply of another 100 megawatts for Gwadar and 1000 megawatts for main Quetta city. Iran is also willing to export more electricity for other areas of Pakistan ranging between 1000 to 3000 megawatts. However, Iran is of the view that restoration of gas pipeline between both the countries can help Pakistan in bolstering its energy sector because it will be able to generate at least 5000 megawatts with natural gas to meet its indigenous demand.
However, beginning of main projects like power energy, gas pipeline and extension of transmission lines being highly sophisticated can help both the countries brining their people close to each other as much as possible. Though Iran is already exporting electricity to some of its neighbouring countries but it is having no problem in receiving remittances from its buyers. However, it believes that under the present circumstances economic sanctions cannot prevent Iran from exporting electricity to its neighbouring countries including Pakistan.
There is a popular maxim in Persian, which I would like to quote as below: - “One can never imagine that there could be anything more closer to Pakistanis than Iranians on this earth”.Long live Pak Iran friendship!The writer is the Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lahore.