Pakistan, Iran to discuss electricity for Chaghi

By Khalid Mustafa

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and Tehran will take up the import of electricity from Iran to Balochistan’s Chaghi district today (Tuesday) in a meeting between Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Aminzadeh, an official source told Daily Times.

The meeting will take place at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. Pakistan is already importing electricity from Iran for Taftan, Mashkal and Makran in Balochistan at three cents (Rs 1.80) per unit

“Pakistan had imported electricity for those areas as the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) did not have its power transmission network in there and electricity was being produced by diesel-run power generators, which was very costly,” the source in the Ministry of Water and Power said.

“Pakistan now wants electricity for Chaghi district where WAPDA’s transmission network is not available and the Iranian border is close by,” he said. “We have given input on the issue to the Foreign Office for discussion with the Iranian deputy foreign minister,” the source said.

The two countries will also discuss a common border market but Pakistan and Iran must goods to be traded. The two countries are yet to determine the population living permanently on each side of the border.

The source said during the meeting the possibility of opening a second border crossing between Pakistan and Iran would also be discussed. At present, Taftan is the only border crossing between the two countries. Both the countries would also discuss the ways and means to enhance trade between Balochistan and the neighbouring Iranian province of Siestan, the source said.

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