Islamabad:
Pakistan and Iran agreed to increase their bilateral trade from $ 3 billion to $ 3 to $ 10 billion in conversations between the visitor Iranian president and the prime minister here on Sunday, to a extent that suggests the changing geostrategic dynamics approaching the two neighbors.
Iranian president, Massud fishshkian, traveled to Pakistan on his first official visit since he assumed the office and after the 12 -day war between Iran and Israel in June.
Pakistan launched the red carpet welcome to President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally received it at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, in a rare gesture that indicates not only a protocol but Pakistan’s intention to deepen ties with the neighboring country.
The moment of the visit was not a coincidence, since it arrived at a time when the conflict of Israel-Iran remained fresh, Gaza under siege and a large number of other regional developments. Pakistan’s movement to receive the Iranian president at a time when the United States seeks its additional isolation shows its search to follow independent foreign policy.
Formal conversations were held at the Prime Minister’s house with a focus on multiple topics ranging from bilateral ties to current regional and international developments. According to the prime minister’s office, the two leaders held an individual meeting, followed by conversations at the delegation level.
The Pakistani side included the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Ishaq Dar, head of the Army staff seafood, Syed also Munir, members of the Senior Cabinet and senior government officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the importance of long -standing fraternal relationships between Pakistan and Iran, reaffirming Pakistan’s total solidarity with Iranian leadership, armed forces and people.
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Pezeshkian, the prime minister expressed condolences about the martyrdom of Iranian soldiers, scientists and civilians during the 12 -day war caused by Israeli aggression, and prayed for the rapid recovery of the injured.
He also thanked Iran for his unwavering support for Pakistan during the recent outbreak of tensions with India. Morever, the prime minister supported the right of Iran to follow the nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
President Pezeshkian, in turn, thanked the Pakistani government and people for being firmly with Iran during the war. He said that the Iranian nation would always remember Pakistan’s solidarity sample.
Highlighting the need to strengthen economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz requested the early call of the 22nd session of the Joint Economic Commission of Pakistan-Iran, which is expected to be celebrated soon.
He emphasized the improved collaboration in commerce, connectivity, culture and exchanges of people to people. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several comprehension memorandes (MOU) and agreements in sectors of mutual interest intended to reinforce bilateral cooperation.
They discussed key initiatives to boost trade, including the improvement of fees for rice, fruits and meat exports, the activation of border markets, the elimination of non -tariff barriers and the promotion of barter trade.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the recent progress in the commercial negotiations of Pakistan-Iran and reaffirmed their commitment to increase the bilateral volume of trade of current $ 3 billion to $ 10 billion in the near future.
Regional and global problems were also on the agenda. Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked Iranian leadership for his strong and vocal support for the Palestinian cause against Israeli brutality.
He reiterated the unwavering support of Pakistan for an independent Palestinian state according to UN resolutions and requested an immediate end to Israeli atrocities in Gaza along with urgent humanitarian assistance for the besieged population.
Both leaders urged the international community to take quick measures to resolve the crisis. Prime Minister Sharif also expressed his gratitude for the constant support of Iran to the oppressed people of illegally occupied India Jammu and Kashmir (Iiojk).
The meeting concluded with a lunch organized in honor of President Pezeshkian and his delegation.
