Islamabad [Pakistan], August 3 (ANI): Nearly two years after a cross-border military flare-up, Pakistan and Iran have agreed to set their annual bilateral trade target at USD 8 billion, signaling renewed commitment to economic cooperation and regional connectivity, The Express Tribune reported.
The announcement was made following a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Mohammad Atabak. Both sides expressed their determination to revitalize economic ties and strengthen collaboration across various sectors.
According to CNN, the cross-border conflict erupted in January 2023 when Iran launched airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, claiming to target “Iranian terrorists located on Pakistani soil.” The strikes led to the deaths of two children and heightened tensions between the neighboring countries. Pakistan responded with retaliatory attacks targeting separatist groups in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province, escalating the confrontation.
During Sunday’s meeting, Minister Kamal stressed the importance of leveraging the two countries’ geographic proximity to foster economic growth. He called for the swift expansion of trade relations and enhanced cross-border collaboration. The two ministers also agreed to accelerate preparations for the upcoming session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission.
Key areas of cooperation discussed included agriculture, energy, livestock, logistics, and IT services, The Express Tribune reported.
The talks took place during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s two-day official visit to Pakistan, his first since assuming office. His trip marks a significant step in rebuilding bilateral trust and advancing regional diplomacy.
During President Pezeshkian’s visit, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Iran’s right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, in accordance with the UN Charter. He also denounced what he described as “recent unprovoked Israeli aggression against Iran,” calling it “completely unwarranted” and noting that the attack had been condemned by both the Pakistani government and its citizens, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)
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