ISLAMABAD, Aug 06 (Alliance News): Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday agreed to enhance bilateral trade by improving border infrastructure, introducing 24-hour border operations, strengthening logistics facilities and harmonising customs procedures to facilitate cross-border commerce.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a six-member Iranian delegation led by Seyyed Mohammad Atabak, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
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 reaffirmed that Pakistan highly values its close and brotherly relations with Iran and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to promoting regional peace and stability through constructive diplomacy.
He referred to his recent discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying both leaders had agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in trade and economic cooperation.
The prime minister expressed confidence that sustained efforts by both countries would help achieve the bilateral trade target of 10 billion US dollars set by the leadership of Pakistan and Iran.
He said expanding trade in food, agricultural commodities and related products would create significant economic opportunities for both countries.
Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed his best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Seyyed Mohammad Atabak thanked the Government of Pakistan for its warm hospitality and appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and its support for Iran.
The Iranian minister reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to expanding economic and commercial cooperation with Pakistan and said technical-level negotiations on the proposed Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were currently underway.
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 to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Talha Burki, and senior government officials.
