- Pakistan and Iran Forge New Five-Year Trade Cooperation Plan
- Agreements Reached During Iranian Foreign Minister’s Visit to Pakistan
- Strengthening Ties: Focus on Trade, Regional Stability, and Mutual Goals
Thursday, Pakistan and Iran established a five-year trade cooperation plan with a $5 billion bilateral trade goal.
The two countries pledged to increase trade to $5 billion by 2023 by the end of 2021.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian of Iran is currently on a two-day visit to Pakistan, having arrived in Islamabad last night at the invitation of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
This is his first journey to Pakistan bilaterally.
At a press conference held alongside him in Islamabad today, Bilawal stated that the five-year trade cooperation plan intended to eliminate obstacles to bilateral trade, finalize a free trade agreement, and establish institutional ties between the private sectors of both nations.
“I am confident that the steps we are taking today will pave the way for a lasting economic partnership between our two nations in the coming months and years,” he said.
Abdollahian said both countries will increase bilateral commerce to $5 billion and establish a free-trade zone along the border.
The two foreign ministers held delegation-level talks at the Foreign Office in Islamabad today before the news briefing.
Bilawal informed the media that the two parties will prioritise accessing the remaining five border markets by year’s end.
He further indicated that Pakistan and Iran would repatriate all convicted inmates under their agreements.
A deal was also negotiated to free foreign fishermen and waive vessel release fines from both countries.
To expeditiously implement this agreement, according to Bilawal, the two parties will exchange their lists of prisoners.
During the meeting, he added, the “grave human rights situation” in India-occupied Kashmir was also discussed, and he commended the Iranian leadership for its “firm and consistent support to the legitimate cause” of the people of the valley.
The foreign minister said both parties committed to continue their active engagement in Afghanistan to support peace and stability. And Afghan brothers and sisters’ welfare and prosperity.
He added that an agreement was also reached to continue cooperation in the fight against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim animosity.
“There has been an unfortunate series of Islamophobic acts and events throughout Europe. Including not only isolated incidents but also repetitive and deliberate provocations. In my opinion, this is not only hate speech, but it also risks inciting violence,” he added.
Abdollahian then emphasized the need for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the economic, commercial, and tourism sectors.
He guaranteed that the two nations will take immediate action to liberate the fishermen and their vessels.
The Iranian foreign minister also highlighted the conclusion of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline. Stating that the project will “certainly serve the national interests of both countries.”
He, like Bilawal, called for Afghan support, emphasising that Afghanistan’s fate will affect Pakistan and Iran.
“Therefore, regardless of the circumstances, it is a religious and humanitarian obligation to support the Afghan people,” he emphasized.
Abdollahian condemned the Bajaur terrorist act and offered his sympathies to the victims’ families, the Pakistani people, and the government.
Later, the two foreign ministers witnessed the signing of numerous memorandums of understanding between Pakistan and Iran.
Bilawal greeted his Iranian counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad earlier today.
The two leaders had a “tete-a-tete” at the ministry and planted a pine tree sapling on the office premises.
Shehbaz meets with Abdollahian.
Radio Pakistan reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Abdollahian and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen relations with Iran in a variety of disciplines.
According to the report, the prime minister emphasized the importance of enhancing economic cooperation and noted that the Economic Cooperation Organisation was “uniquely positioned” to perform this role.
He expressed “deep concern” over the rise of “Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to collaborate with other Muslim nations, including Iran, in “articulating a unified view against such despicable acts aimed at sowing discord and division within communities and societies.”
PM Shehbaz also discussed the inauguration of the Mand-Pishin border market on May 18, noting that initiatives aimed at the economic uplift of border areas were a concrete manifestation of the shared priority to collectively work for the welfare of the people of the two nations.
He said Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s “neighbourhood first” strategy fit his vision of a secure, affluent, and linked region.
In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of Pakistan and Iran “leveraging their unique geographical location to promote mutually reinforcing goals of regional peace and prosperity through increased trade and enhanced regional connectivity.”
Separately, the Iranian foreign minister conferred with Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the parliament building.
According to a statement posted on the NA Twitter, he led a delegation that discussed various regional and international issues, as well as the further strengthening of political and economic relations between Iran and Pakistan, with an emphasis on promoting parliamentary cooperation.
Abdollahian will also meet with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to discuss parliamentary ties between the two nations, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office before his arrival.
“The visit of FM Abdollahian will provide an opportunity for the two countries to discuss all aspects of their bilateral relations, with a particular emphasis on regional connectivity, energy, and economic and investment ties between Pakistan and Iran,” the statement continued.
Abdollahian’s arrival was preceded by a high-ranking delegation for preparatory meetings, which included Iran’s deputy foreign minister for economic affairs and senior officials from the Ministries of Trade, Roads and Urban Development, Investment, Agriculture, and Energy.
