By: FT Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD —Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met a six-member delegation led by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Seyed Mohammad Atabak, in Islamabad to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, enhance trade, and expand cooperation in key economic sectors.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan greatly values its close and brotherly ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran and remains committed to sincere efforts for promoting lasting peace and stability in the region. He noted that his recent discussions with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian focused on regional peace, bilateral cooperation, and expanding trade relations.
Expressing confidence in the future of bilateral economic ties, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both countries would continue working towards achieving the mutually agreed target of $10 billion in bilateral trade. He emphasized that increased trade in food, agricultural commodities, and related products would bring significant benefits to both nations.
During the meeting, Pakistan and Iran agreed to enhance border trade by improving facilities, keeping border crossings operational around the clock, strengthening logistics infrastructure, and harmonizing customs procedures. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in the processing and value addition of precious stones.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iranian Minister Seyed Mohammad Atabak thanked the Government of Pakistan for its warm welcome and generous hospitality. He praised Pakistan’s sincere diplomatic efforts for regional peace and appreciated the solidarity shown by the Pakistani leadership and people with Iran.
The Iranian minister reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to expanding economic and commercial relations with Pakistan and said that technical-level negotiations on a Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are currently underway, which would further strengthen bilateral trade and investment.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistants Syed Tariq Fatemi, Haroon Akhtar, Talha Burki, and senior officials from relevant government institutions.
