ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday announced a shared commitment to increase Pakistan-Iran bilateral trade to $10 billion, marking a new chapter in regional cooperation.
At a joint press stakeout in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz said that both countries were eager to accelerate efforts to meet this trade milestone. “Today, we signed multiple MoUs and agreements that lay the foundation for future progress,” he said, adding that technical-level discussions would follow to operationalize these commitments.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to President Pezeshkian for his heartfelt remarks towards the people of Pakistan and strongly condemned Israel’s military aggression against Iran in June. He called it an unjustified act and lauded Iran’s strategic response that exposed Israel’s vulnerabilities.
Offering condolences for the Iranian lives lost during the conflict, Shehbaz said Pakistan remains firmly aligned with Iran against any form of unjust aggression.
In his remarks, President Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s consistent support at all levels—government, parliament, and public—during the recent Israeli attacks. Referring to Allama Iqbal’s poetry, he underscored the cultural and religious bonds shared by the two nations and highlighted Iran’s neighborhood-first policy, calling Pakistan a “brotherly country.”
He noted that current trade stands at $3 billion and said both nations were now taking “serious and sincere” steps to raise it to $10 billion through practical cooperation.
The 12 agreements signed during the visit aim to enhance collaboration in several areas, including agriculture, science, IT, judicial cooperation, education, youth exchange, and maritime security. A joint ministerial statement on a free trade agreement was also signed.
Key agreements included:
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Bilateral programs in plant protection and product inspection
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Science, technology, and innovation cooperation
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Cultural and youth exchange initiatives
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Maritime security and emergency response collaboration
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Judicial and legal assistance
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Tourism development
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A framework for advancing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
President Pezeshkian emphasized improving infrastructure and connectivity—land, sea, and air—to facilitate smoother trade flows. He said both countries are committed to strengthening border security to safeguard citizens from terrorist threats.
He also condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, calling them acts of genocide and destabilization, and urged Muslim nations to unite in the face of Zionist aggression. The Iranian leader called on international institutions to uphold justice and sovereignty without bias or double standards.
“I feel like I’m in my second home,” said President Pezeshkian, thanking Pakistan’s leadership and people for their warmth and hospitality.