Inauguration of the First Border Market between Iran and Pakistan

The border market in the village of 'Pishin' in the Balochistan province of southwestern Pakistan was inaugurated on Thursday as the first border market between the two countries. This first market is one of six markets established based on a 2012 agreement between the two countries. Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also inaugurated a power transmission line from Iran to some remote areas of Pakistan during the ceremony. Mr. Sharif assured Mr. Raisi in a joint television meeting that 'Pakistan will do its utmost to improve security along the Iran border.' He added that both sides agreed to enhance trade and economic relations and invited the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to visit Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Iran-Pakistan relations have been contentious due to cross-border attacks by militants along the border. According to the Associated Press, small separatist groups in Pakistan have been behind long-standing uprisings demanding the independence of Balochistan province from the central government in Islamabad. The report states that anti-Iranian militants in Pakistan have targeted the Iranian border in recent years, increasing tensions between the two countries. Pakistan has close relations with Saudi Arabia but has attempted to maintain its relationship with Tehran. Qandeel Abbas: The economic impacts of unrest in Pakistan have worried its government. The Union of Oil Sellers in Pakistan: More fuel is being smuggled from Iran. Turkmenistan's gas exports to Pakistan; the 'gas dream' of Iran has gone up in smoke.