ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-Iran Joint Commission on Road Transportation has recommended that the two countries should open many additional international crossing points at Pishin and Reemdan (Iranian side), Mand and Gabd (Pakistani side) for promotion of trade and commerce as well as people-to-people contacts between them.

Presently, there is only one international crossing point between the two countries at Taftan on Pakistan side and Mirjaveh on Iran side.

The joint recommendations were signed at the concluding session of the 7th Pakistan-Iran joint commission on road transportation here on Tuesday.

The two sides discussed the problems being faced by the transporters and traders at the crossing point of Taftan-Mirjaveh and agreed to resolve them. The meeting also recommended visa abolition for drivers of trucks/trailers/buses as a measure to facilitate people to people contact and economic activity between the two countries.

It was also decided that National Logistics Cell (NLC) would establish a modern cargo terminal at Taftan.

Both sides agreed on working hours from 07:00am to 0700pm to facilitate the visitors (Zaireen) at Taftan-Mirjaveh border.

The Pakistani side told the meeting that National Highway Authority had incurred an amount of Rs2.3 billion during last three years on maintenance/rehabilitation of 605 km Quetta-Taftan Highway (N-40), and plans to upgrade the road to international standards in future.

It was decided that NHA would set up three rest areas at Taftan, Yakmach and Padak on Quetta-Taftan Road for convenience of the travellers.

Both sides also agreed to coordinate efforts to curb human trafficking, including issuance of fake passport and visas.

Iranian side assured the meeting that they would expedite the process of ratification of International Road Transport Agreement (IRTA-2008) with Pakistan and complete it within next the two months. Pakistan has already ratified the document.

Senior Joint Secretary communications Abdul Basit headed the 12-member Pakistani delegation.

The other members of the Pakistani side included representatives from foreign office, interior ministry, commerce ministry, national logistic cell (NLC), customs, NHA, ministry of communications, provincial transport department, government of Balochistan and members of transport associations and chambers of commerce and industry.

Iranian delegation was headed by Ali Reza Mujarrad, director general transportation and terminal including experts, members and representatives of transportation and road as well as officials of Iranian embassy in Islamabad.