In an exclusive interview with Shana International Desk, the envoy said the Chinese firms which undertook finance arrangements from Nawabshah in Sindh province to Gwadar Port in Balochistan province will start laying the gasline soon.

"The initial work including feasibility studies has finished," he said, "Our estimation is that it takes two years of work to finish this phase and connect it to the Iranian feeding line at the border."

Referring to the US-led sanctions against Iran which undermined Pakistan's share in implementing construction of the IP project, the envoy said in the wake of nuclear Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the prospects for removal of threats and pressures, it will be easier to find foreign partners to complete the project after sanctions relief.

He also said there is the possibility of using Iranian expertise for launching joint exploration initiatives in Pakistan's gas sector.

Despite hydro-electric and nuclear energy resources, Jadmani said, Pakistan is energy thirsty and counts on Iran's support and cooperation.

The Pakistani ambassador said that his country's import of electricity from Iran is currently 50mw, and that negotiations are underway to increase it to 100, 300, 1000, and 300mw in future.

To a question on low-level of bilateral trade, he said, Pakistan's exports to Iran stand at $300 million. "But, counting illegal trade such as smuggling and with re-exporting through Dubai, the trade is estimated at $1.4 billion."

To facilitate official trade, "We are planning to open two more border points besides Mirjaveh," Jadmani said, "There is bilateral desire and urge to move forward."

Jadmani, who returned to Tehran recently following the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Islamabad, said thanks to the two governments' policies, there is a "convergence" of strong platforms to revive political and economic relations.

He said the visit was fruitful as Iranian minister and Pakistani side conferred promotion of political and trade cooperation.

"The roadmap on economic cooperation is being implemented. An Iranian delegation is in Pakistan to confer with counterparts within Joint Trade Committee."

Governor General of Sistan-Baluchistan visited Pakistan, he added, saying Pakistan's governor and chief minister of Balochistan have visited Iran on separate occasions.

To a query on people-to-people contact and its role in trade, he said religious tourism is from Pakistan as people travel to Iran to visit holy shrines in Mashad and Qom. "But, security situation has undermined not only tourism from Iran, but visits by businessmen to promote trade ties."

He expressed hope that with Islamabad government's anti-terrorism policy and improvement of security conditions in Pakistan, the barrier to improvement of trade ties between the two friendly nations will be removed.