In a significant diplomatic move, Pakistan and Iran have strengthened bilateral relations with a renewed focus on trade, connectivity, and regional stability during Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian’s two-day visit to Pakistan. Hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Sunday, both leaders reaffirmed a shared commitment to boosting cooperation across diverse sectors.
The high-level engagement led to the signing of 12 agreements and MoUs, spanning energy, trade, technology, culture, tourism, judicial assistance, and maritime safety. These agreements aim to elevate the current $3 billion bilateral trade to $10 billion, with both sides emphasizing fast-tracked implementation and infrastructure development.
Shared Goals and Regional Solidarity
President Zardari highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two nations, while lauding Iran’s consistent support on key regional matters—including its principled stance on Kashmir. He condemned recent Israeli aggression against Iran and commended the resilience of the Iranian people, noting Pakistan’s unwavering support during the 12-day conflict.
Dr. Pezeshkian, in return, thanked Pakistan for its solidarity during the war and appreciated its diplomatic stance in favor of de-escalation and peaceful resolution of disputes. He stressed that Pakistan is more than a neighbor, calling it a “brotherly nation” with shared values and aspirations.
Strategic Economic Partnership in Focus
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a joint press briefing, reiterated the commitment to expanding trade relations. He condemned Israel’s unprovoked attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and extended condolences over Iranian lives lost in the recent conflict. Sharif affirmed Pakistan’s support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear ambitions under international law and called for deeper collaboration in counterterrorism.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Atabak held a parallel meeting to push forward structured trade cooperation. They agreed on improving border infrastructure, resolving tariff issues, and conducting targeted B2B engagements to boost exports and industrial partnerships.
Kamal proposed leveraging geographical proximity to reduce trade costs, echoing models used successfully in ASEAN and Belarus. Atabak supported the idea of hosting dedicated business forums during every top-level visit, adding that Iranian business leaders were eager to expand their footprint in Pakistan.
Free Trade Agreement, JEC on the Horizon
At the Islamabad Business Forum, both sides showed optimism about finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and accelerating the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) sessions. The event, co-hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, brought together business leaders from both nations and focused on enhancing trade logistics, cross-border connectivity, and sector-specific collaboration in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
Dar underscored the importance of economic diplomacy and said platforms like the FTA and Business Forum are central to Pakistan’s foreign policy. Dr. Pezeshkian echoed this, emphasizing self-reliance and Muslim unity as key to overcoming global challenges.
Agreements Signed
According to Radio Pakistan, the signed MoUs include:
Plant protection and quarantine
Joint operation of the Mirjaveh-Taftan border
Scientific and technological cooperation
Information and communication technologies
Youth and cultural exchange
Meteorology and hazard mitigation
Recognition of product certifications
Air services updates
Maritime safety and firefighting
Judicial assistance in criminal matters
Tourism cooperation for 2025–2027
Joint ministerial statement on intent to finalize FTA
A New Chapter in Pakistan-Iran Relations
Both governments and business sectors expressed a strong desire to seize this momentum. “We must act swiftly. Delays complicate outcomes,” said Minister Kamal, adding that structured engagement will transform historic goodwill into measurable economic progress.
The visit marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan-Iran ties, signaling a joint push for regional integration, economic resilience, and geopolitical coordination in an increasingly polarized world.
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