ISLAMABAD
\nPakistan and Iran on Sunday pledged to deepen bilateral trade and border cooperation during high-level talks between the trade ministers of both sides here. In a significant move to enhance bilateral economic cooperation, Pakistan\u2019s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, met with Iranian Minister for Industry, Mines and Trade, Mohammad Atabak, on the sidelines of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian\u2019s two-day official visit to Pakistan, said a release issued here.
\nThe high-level discussion marked a renewed commitment from both sides to accelerate trade, remove border bottlenecks, and build trust-based partnerships across priority sectors. The two ministers acknowledged the historic depth of Pakistan-Iran relations, expressing that recent regional and global developments have pushed both nations closer together. Minister Atabak praised the Pakistani government\u2019s proactive role in facilitating bilateral trade progress and said:
\n\u201cWithout the rapid engagement and determination from you and your team, we wouldn\u2019t have reached this stage. The momentum we\u2019ve built must now be translated into structured trade outcomes.\u201dJam Kamal Khan echoed similar sentiments, noting that both governments, as well as the private sector, have shown strong will and passion to work together. \u201cThere\u2019s a moment in diplomacy when the iron is hot\u2014and this is that moment. We must act swiftly. Delays only complicate things,\u201d he said.
\nHe emphasized that formalities follow passion and political will, and highlighted that Pakistan is ready to deepen its economic relationship with Iran through structured channels like the Joint Economic Commission (JEC), regular B2B exchanges, and sector-focused delegations. Both ministers agreed on the importance of identifying specific sectors such as agriculture, livestock, services, energy, and cross-border logistics for future collaboration.
\nJam Kamal suggested organizing targeted trade delegations that include representatives from federal and provincial chambers of commerce, enabling focused discussions on market access and regulatory facilitation.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve done this model successfully in Belarus and elsewhere,\u201d he added. \u201cLet\u2019s do the same for Iran, starting with sectors that show the greatest potential for mutual benefit.\u201d
\nThe ministers also expressed a shared commitment to increasing the use of existing trade corridors and border facilities. Emphasis was placed on maximizing the potential of neighborhood trade, with Jam Kamal highlighting how ASEAN countries have benefited enormously by trading within their region. \u201cGeography is an advantage. Pakistan and Iran must utilize this discount of distance. If we don\u2019t, we lose both time and cost benefits,\u201d he stated.
\nJam Kamal envisioned that, if fully leveraged, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran could easily exceed $5\u20138 billion annually in the coming years. He noted that beyond bilateral gains, such connectivity could expand to Turkey, Central Asia, Russia, and even parts of the Middle East, creating an economic bloc of substantial power and resilience. Mohammad Atabak supported the idea of holding a dedicated B2B day during every high-level visit and offered to bring Iranian business groups to Pakistan for in-depth meetings.
\nHe also highlighted ongoing discussions about increasing Pakistani exports to Iran and encouraged swift follow-up on newly signed agreements. \u201cTraders and industrialists in both countries are ready. They trust each other. What they need now is a clear and consistent facilitation mechanism from our sides,\u201d Atabak noted. Reflecting on the human element of bilateral ties, both sides underscored the cultural and linguistic commonalities between the people of Pakistan and Iran.
\nJam Kamal shared an anecdote about a meeting with the CEO of the Special Economic Free Zone who spoke in Balochi, emphasizing the deep-rooted linkages between communities on both sides of the border. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just trade\u2014it\u2019s people-to-people connectivity. The familiarity and comfort zone between our merchants can be the strongest foundation for sustainable economic integration,\u201d he added.
\nThe ministers agreed to fast-track the next session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission, ensured participation from both public and private stakeholders, and prioritized border facilitation and trade logistics. Both sides left the meeting with a message, \u201cThe time for action is now\u201d. With high-level political alignment and mutual trust, Pakistan and Iran appear poised to enter a new phase of strategic economic partnership that could reshape regional trade dynamics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Pakistan and Iran on Sunday pledged to deepen bilateral trade and border cooperation during high-level talks between the trade ministers of both sides here. In a significant move to enhance bilateral economic cooperation, Pakistan\u2019s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, met with Iranian Minister for Industry, Mines and Trade, Mohammad Atabak, on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-494673","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n