Pakistan Values Brotherly Ties with Iran, Committed to Regional Peace: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 5: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed that Pakistan highly values its close and brotherly relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and will continue its sincere diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability across the region.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with a six-member Iranian delegation led by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Seyyed Muhammad Atabak, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif referred to his recent discussions with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing that both leaders had agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and economic cooperation, while working jointly for lasting regional peace.

The prime minister expressed confidence that sustained efforts by both countries would help achieve the bilateral trade target of US$10 billion set by the leadership of Pakistan and Iran. He highlighted the vast potential for expanding trade in food products, agricultural commodities and related sectors, saying such cooperation would generate significant economic benefits for both nations.

The two sides also agreed to enhance cross-border trade by improving border infrastructure, ensuring 24-hour border operations, strengthening logistics facilities and harmonizing customs procedures. They further agreed to expand cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in the processing and value addition of precious stones.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, and President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.

Speaking on the occasion, Iranian Minister Seyyed Muhammad Atabak thanked the Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the delegation. He appreciated Pakistan’s leadership for its sincere diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and for expressing solidarity with Iran.

The Iranian minister reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to expanding economic and commercial cooperation with Pakistan and noted that technical-level negotiations on the proposed Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are currently underway.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistants Syed Tariq Fatemi, Haroon Akhtar, Talha Burki, and other senior government officials.