ISLAMABAD
\nPakistan and Iran have chalked out a five-year trade cooperation plan spanning 2023-2028 with a bilateral trade target of five billion dollars. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made the disclosure at a joint press stakeout along with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Islamabad Thursday afternoon.
\n\u201cI am confident that the steps we are taking today, will chart the course for a long-term durable economic partnership between our two countries in the months and years ahead,\u201d the foreign minister told the media after two leaders held a meeting as well as the delegation-level talks.
\nForeign Minister Bilawal said the five-year plan is aimed at removing impediments on bilateral trade, finalization of Free Trade Agreement and establishment of institutional linkages between the respective private sectors.
\nBilawal said Pakistan encompasses a vision for greater enhanced trade, which is fully aligned with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi policy of neighbourhood first. \u201cTo this end, we have agreed to prioritize operationalization of the five remaining border markets by the end of this year,\u201d he added.
\nBilawal said \u201cWe have decided to repatriate all the sentenced prisoners as per provisions of agreements between two sides. He said it has also been decided to set free fishermen in custody and to waive off any fine imposed by the authorities of both the countries for the release of their vessels. He said the two sides will exchange lists of prisoners to put into practice this understanding expeditiously.
\nBilawal also discussed the grave human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said we are grateful to the Iranian leadership for its firm and consistent support to the legitimate cause of Kashmiri people.
\nRegarding the situation in Afghanistan, Bilawal said they have agreed to continue their active engagement with a view of advancing peace and stability in Afghanistan to promote well-being and prosperity of Afghan brothers and sisters. He said they also agreed to continue their cooperation to counter Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred.
\nSpeaking on the occasion, the Iranian foreign minister called for promoting cooperation in economy, trade and tourism under regional mechanisms. He said the two sides are fully committee to increase the bilateral trade to five billion dollars. He said we have agreed to set up a special economic free trade region along the common border points.
\nHossein Amir-Abdollahian said the two countries will take immediate steps for the release of fishermen and their vessels. He said convicted prisoners on both sides will be exchanged. Emphasising on the completion of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, the Iranian foreign minister said it will definitely serve the national interests of the two countries.
\nHe also condemned the most recent terrorist attack in Bajaur and extended sympathies with the effected people and government of Pakistan. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Thursday.
\nThe Iranian foreign minister also held talks with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and discussed all aspects of bilateral relations and the emerging regional situation. Besides one-on-one meeting, there were also delegation-level parleys between both the sides. Both the foreign ministers led their respective delegations.
\nBoth the foreign ministers also planted a pine tree of friendship at the Foreign Office and later addressed a joint news conference. The Iranian foreign minister is on a two-day visit to Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Pakistan and Iran have chalked out a five-year trade cooperation plan spanning 2023-2028 with a bilateral trade target of five billion dollars. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made the disclosure at a joint press stakeout along with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Islamabad Thursday afternoon. \u201cI am confident that the steps we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":347040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-347024","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n