Pakistan-Iran border to remain open 24 hours as both sides agree to enhance trade ties

WEB DESK: Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday agreed to promote border trade, improve customs coordination and enhance facilities to keep the border open round the clock as both countries seek to strengthen economic cooperation.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and a six-member Iranian delegation led by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Syed Mohammad Atabak in Islamabad.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to improve logistics and customs procedures through coordination while increasing cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in the processing and value addition of precious stones.

Prime minister Shehbaz said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Iran, describing it as a brotherly neighbouring country. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stronger bilateral ties, especially in trade and economic cooperation.

The prime minister expressed hope that the $10 billion bilateral trade target set by the leadership of both countries would be achieved through sustained efforts.

The PM said expanding trade, particularly in food, agricultural commodities and related products, would benefit the people of both countries.

The premier also conveyed messages of goodwill to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iranian Minister Mohammad Atabak appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality and praised its diplomatic efforts for regional peace. He said Tehran wants to further expand economic and trade relations with Islamabad, while technical-level talks on a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries are underway.

Federal ministers and senior officials from relevant institutions also attended the meeting.