Pakistan and Iran intend to expand yearly trade volume between the two nations to $5 billion as part of a five-year commercial cooperation plan for 2023–2028, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated on Thursday.
The foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, conducted a joint press conference in Islamabad, according to the Foreign Office (FO).
The Pakistani foreign minister stated that as part of the five-year plan, trade barriers would be abolished, a free trade agreement would be completed, and institutional linkages between the private sectors on both sides would also be developed.
According to FM Bilawal Bhutto, Pakistan has a vision for increased commerce that is perfectly in line with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s “neighborhood first” approach.
“To this end, we have agreed to prioritise the operationalisation of the five remaining border markets by the end of this year,” he said.
According to the terms of the agreements between the two countries, Pakistan and Iran have resolved to return all of the condemned detainees, according to Foreign Minister Bilawal.
“It has also been decided to set free fishermen in custody and to waive off any fine imposed by the authorities of both countries for the release of their vessels,” he said.
The foreign minister noted that in order to quickly implement the agreement, the two sides would exchange lists of prisoners.
The serious human rights situation in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir was another topic covered by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. In his remarks, he expressed Pakistan’s gratitude to the Iranian leadership for its unwavering and steadfast support of the just cause of the Kashmiri people.
The foreign minister of Pakistan stated that both nations had reached an agreement to continue their active engagement in Afghanistan in order to advance peace and stability there and to advance the welfare and prosperity of their Afghan brothers and sisters.
He declared that both nations would keep working together to combat anti-Muslim and Islamophobic prejudice.
The Iranian Minister needed over his speech, that regional mechanisms be used to advance economic, commercial, and tourism cooperation. According to him, both parties are firmly committed to boosting their bilateral commerce to $5 billion.
According to the Iranian minister, a special economic free trade region will be established between the two nations at their shared border points.
The two sides would take quick action to secure the release of the fishermen and their boats, according to Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. He declared that convicted inmates from both sides will be traded.
The Iranian foreign minister emphasized the importance of finishing the gas pipeline between his nation and Pakistan, saying it would benefit both nations’ national interests.
Additionally, he denounced a recent terrorist incident in Bajaur and expressed sympathy to the victims as well as the Pakistani authorities.
Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, arrived visited Pakistan for the first time in 2023 from August 2–4.
In order to discuss the agreement reached by the leaders of the two nations to advance this relationship, he will speak with the prime minister of Pakistan.
The Iranian Foreign Minister will also meet with the Chairmen of the National Assembly and the Senate to explore parliamentary ties between the two friendly nations.
The two sides will have the chance to address all aspects of bilateral relations during Foreign Minister Abdollahian’s visit, with a focus on regional connectivity, energy, and economic and investment links between Pakistan and Iran.
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