Pakistan and Iran Aim to Boost Bilateral Trade to $10 Billion
ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, targeting a bilateral trade volume of $10 billion in the near future.
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, the prime minister shared that both nations had signed several important agreements. These documents will pave the way for stronger cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, security, and cultural exchange.
“Our respective delegations will continue detailed discussions to accelerate progress toward achieving the $10 billion trade target,” the prime minister stated.
Strengthening Long-standing Ties
During the meeting, both leaders emphasized the deep-rooted religious, cultural, and historical bonds between Pakistan and Iran. Prime Minister Sharif expressed appreciation for President Pezeshkian’s goodwill message to the Pakistani people and conveyed condolences over the loss of Iranian citizens and military personnel in recent regional conflicts.
He also strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against Iran and praised the Iranian leadership’s response, highlighting the courage and strategic resilience shown by the country in defending its sovereignty.
A Shared Vision for Regional Stability
President Pezeshkian thanked the Pakistani government, parliament, and people for standing in solidarity with Iran during the 10-day conflict. He cited the poetic works of Allama Iqbal to emphasize unity among Muslim nations and described Pakistan as “not just a neighbor, but a brotherly country.”
He stressed Iran’s focus on advancing its neighborhood-first foreign policy, with Pakistan playing a key role. The president expressed optimism over increasing trade from the current $3 billion to $10 billion, and announced that both countries had signed 12 new agreements and MoUs covering:
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Plant protection and quarantine
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Science, technology, and innovation
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Information technology
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Education, culture, and youth exchange
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Health, research, and tourism
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Maritime safety and fire extinguishing
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Judicial cooperation
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Quality inspection and product standards
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Joint ministerial statement on a Free Trade Agreement
Enhancing Border Security and Connectivity
The Iranian president also underscored the importance of enhancing border security in light of regional threats and terrorism, and called for the development of land, sea, and air routes to boost trade and connectivity.
Both sides condemned ongoing violence in Gaza, emphasizing the need for Muslim countries to stand united against destabilizing actions and foreign aggression. They urged global organizations to abandon double standards and uphold international law and territorial integrity.
A New Chapter in Regional Cooperation
President Pezeshkian concluded by calling Pakistan his “second home,” expressing gratitude for the warm reception, and highlighting his government’s commitment to implementing the newly signed agreements.
