Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (3rd L) and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari (3rd R) applaud after unveiling a plaque during the ceremony. —Photo by AFP

Pakistan stocks slumped 2.5 per cent on March 11 as investors agitated about possible US sanctions coming Pakistan's way for groundbreaking of a much-delayed $7.5 billion gas pipeline from Iran, dealers said. —Photo by AFP

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2nd L) and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari wave during a ceremony marking the start of work on the 780-kilometre (485-mile) pipeline from Iran to Pakistan in the Iranian border city of Chah Bahar. —Photo by AFP

Iranians work on a section of a pipeline after the project was launched during a ceremony with presidents of Iran and Pakistan. —Photo by AFP

An Iranian worker stands in front of a section of a pipeline after the project was launched. —Photo by AFP

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari. —Photo by Reuters