Islamabad:
Pakistan and Iran agreed to increase their bilateral trading from current $ 3 billion to $ 10 billion in negotiations between the visiting Iranian president and the prime minister here on Sunday, in a step suggesting the changing geostratey dynamics that bring the two neighbors closer.
Iranian President Massud Pezeshkian traveled to Pakistan on his first official visit since the office and after the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June.
Pakistan rolled out of the red-blanket to President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, personally received him at the Nur Khan Flybbil in Rawalpindi, in a rare gesture that was not only a protocol but Pakistan’s intention to elaborate on the ties with neighboring countries.
The time of the visit was not a coincidence as it came at a time when the Israeli-Iran-Iran conflict remained fresh, Gaza during siege and a number of other regional developments. Pakistan’s steps to host the Iranian president at a time when the United States is seeking its further isolation, shows its persecution of following the independent foreign policy.
The formal conversations were held in the Prime Minister House focusing on several questions ranging from bilateral ties to current regional and international development. According to the PM office, the two leaders held a one-on-one meeting, which was followed by lectures at the delegation level.
The Pakistani side included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, head of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Senior Cabinet Members and the top government officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the importance of the long -standing brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, confirming Pakistan’s full solidarity with the Iranian leadership, armed forces and the people.
When we spoke at a joint news conference with President Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister expressed compassion for the martyrdom of Iranian soldiers, scientists and civilians during the 12-day war triggered by Israeli aggression and asked for the weak improvement of the wounded.
He also thanked Iran for his unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent flare -up of tension with India. Morever supported the Prime Minister Iran’s right to pursue the nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
President Pezeshkian, for his side, thanked the Pakistani government and people for standing with Iran during the war. He said the Iranian nation would always remember Pakistan’s show about solidarity.
When he highlights the need to strengthen economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz called on the early call of the 22nd session in Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission, which is expected to be held soon.
He emphasized improved collaboration in trade, connection, culture and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several memoranda on understanding (Mous) and agreements across sectors of mutual interest aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
They discussed key initiatives to increase trade, including improving quotas for rice, fruit and meat exports, activation of border markets, removal of non-customs barriers and promoting barter.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the recent progress of the trade negotiations in Pakistan-Iran and confirmed their obligation to increase the bilateral trading volume from the current $ 3 billion to $ 10 billion in the near future.
Regional and global issues were also on the agenda. Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Iranian leadership for his strong and vocal support for the Palestinian case in the light of Israeli brutality.
He repeated Pakistan’s unwavering support for an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the UN decisions and called for an immediate end to Israeli atrocities in Gaza, along with urgent humanitarian assistance to the besieged population.
Both leaders urged the international community to take quick action to resolve the crisis. Prime Minister Sharif also expressed gratitude for Iran’s consistent support for the oppressed people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The meeting ended with a lunch that hosted President Pezeshkian and his delegation.
