Pakistan and Iran have agreed to set an ambitious goal of achieving $8 billion in annual bilateral trade as part of efforts to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen regional connectivity.
The agreement was reached during a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iran’s Minister for Industry, Mine and Trade, Mohammad Atabak. Both sides committed to revitalizing trade relations and fast-tracking cooperation.
Minister Kamal emphasized that Pakistan must capitalize on its geographic closeness with Iran by boosting trade and turning shared borders into economic opportunities. The two ministers also agreed to enhance cross-border collaboration and expedite the next session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission.
They welcomed growing trust between the two countries’ business communities and announced a new round of business-to-business (B2B) engagements to further strengthen commercial ties. Discussions also focused on key sectors including agriculture, energy, livestock, logistics, and IT services, with both sides highlighting the need to better utilize border infrastructure and trade routes.
Kamal described the Pakistan-Iran relationship as a blend of trade, culture, and brotherhood, underlining economic cooperation as essential to reinforcing fraternal ties. Atabak echoed this sentiment, stating that stronger bilateral relations could contribute to greater regional stability.
The developments coincided with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian’s two-day official visit to Pakistan. He was warmly received at Nur Khan Airbase by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials. During his visit, Dr. Pezeshkian is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold detailed talks with Pakistani leadership.
Separately, Iranian Defence Minister Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasir-Zadeh met with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism, and enhancing defence cooperation.
Pakistan’s recent anti-smuggling measures—particularly targeting Iranian oil—have led to a 340% rise in legal trade, although concerns remain over a possible resurgence in illegal imports.
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