• Both sides to improve logistics, harmonise customs procedures.
• Pakistan, Iran aim to achieve bilateral trade target of $10bn.
• Cooperation in mining, precious stones processing to be expanded.

Pakistan and Iran agreed to enhance cross-border trade by improving border facilities to ensure 24-hour border operations, strengthening logistics infrastructure and harmonising customs procedures.

This was decided in a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a six-member Iranian delegation led by Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Seyyed Muhammad Atabak on Wednesday, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The meeting was attended by 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 senior government officials.

Pakistan and Iran also agreed to increase cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in the processing and value addition of precious stones.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed that Pakistan highly valued its close and brotherly ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He emphasised that Pakistan would continue its sincere diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability across the region.

The prime minister noted that he recently held a productive discussion with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian regarding the establishment of lasting peace in the region and the further enhancement of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, particularly in the area of trade.

Expressing his optimism, he said sustained efforts by both countries would help achieve the bilateral trade target of $10 billion, as set by the leadership of Pakistan and Iran.

He highlighted that expanding trade, especially in food, agricultural commodities, and related products, would bring significant economic benefits to both countries.

The prime minister also conveyed his best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iranian Minister Seyyed Mohammad Atabak expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to the Iranian delegation.

He praised Pakistan’s leadership and people for their sincere diplomatic efforts toward regional peace and for expressing solidarity with Iran.

The Iranian minister reaffirmed Tehran’s desire to further expand economic and commercial relations with Pakistan.

He also highlighted that technical-level negotiations on Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were currently underway.