Pezeshkian: Iran aims to boost trade with Pakistan to $10 billion

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran and Pakistan have the potential to boost their annual trade volume from $3 billion to $10 billion, expressing confidence that the target could be achieved “easily and quickly” with closer cooperation.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his official visit to Islamabad, Pezeshkian expressed satisfaction with the discussions held, noting that fruitful conversations took place in political, economic, commercial, and cultural areas, Caliber.Az reports via Mehr. 

He said these talks resulted in the signing of important documents on various topics, including trade, culture, tourism, transportation, and scientific and educational exchanges.emphasised the vast untapped potential in bilateral economic ties and called for stronger commercial, political, and cultural engagement between the two countries

Pezeshkian also condemned the inhumane crimes of Israel in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. He emphasised the urgent necessity to immediately halt these actions, which he said had been a key point discussed in the meetings in Islamabad.

He said Iranian and Pakistani officials believe there should be more active, effective, and pragmatic cooperation among regional countries, especially Muslim nations, to counter the aggressions of the expansionist Israeli regime.

Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran's principled policy of strengthening relations with neighbouring countries, saying that advancing a neighbourhood policy was a central principle of Iran's foreign policy and a focus during this trip.

He also stressed the need to strengthen security in border areas, noting that in light of threats posed by what he called terrorist groups, Iran and Pakistan had agreed to increase cooperation to secure borders and ensure peace and comfort for citizens in border cities.

The president added that there is broad consensus between Tehran and Islamabad regarding regional and international developments.

In conclusion, Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Pakistani government and people and invited Prime Minister Sharif to visit Tehran at a mutually convenient time to continue their dialogue.

By Sabina Mammadli