Islamabad:
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to increase their bilateral trade by $ 3 billion to $ 10 billion in the talks between the Iranian president visiting and the Prime Minister here on Sunday, in a decision suggesting the changing geostrategic dynamics bringing the two neighbors closer.
Iranian President Massud Pezeshkian went to Pakistan during his first official visit since he assumed the office and after the 12 -day war between Iran and Israel in June.
Pakistan has deployed the Red Carpet Welcome to President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally received it at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, in a rare gesture not only signaling a protocol, but also Pakistan’s intention to deepen links with the neighboring country.
The time of the visit was not a coincidence because it came at a time when the Israel-Iran conflict remained fresh, Gaza in seat and a host of other regional developments. Pakistan’s decision to welcome the Iranian president at a time when the United States is looking for his other isolation shows his continuation of the continuation of the independent foreign policy.
Official talks took place to the Prime Minister, emphasizing multiple questions ranging from bilateral links to current regional and international developments. According to the PM office, the two leaders held an individual meeting, which was followed by talks at the level of the delegation.
The Pakistani part included the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Ishaq Dar, the chief of staff of the army, Marshal Syed Asim Munnir, members of the Higher Cabinet and senior government officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed the importance of long -standing fraternal relations between Pakistan and Iran, reaffirming the full solidarity of Pakistan with Iranian management, the armed forces and the people.
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister expressed condolences on the martyrdom of Iranian soldiers, scientists and civilians during the 12 -day war triggered by the Israeli aggression, and prayed for the rapid recovery of the wounded.
He also thanked Iran for its unshakable support in Pakistan during the recent push of tensions with India. In addition, the Prime Minister supported Iran law to continue the nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
President Pezeshkian, in turn, thanked the Pakistani government and the people for having firmly maintained Iran during the war. He said that the Iranian nation would always remember the solidarity show in Pakistan.
Stressing the need to strengthen economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz called for the early concession of the 22nd session of the Pakistani-Iranian joint economic commission, which should be held soon.
He underlined an increased collaboration in the trade, connectivity, culture and exchanges of people to people. The two leaders were also witness to the signing of several understanding memorandums (soft) and agreements in the sectors of mutual interest aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
They discussed key initiatives to stimulate trade, in particular the improvement of rice, fruit and meat export quotas, activate border markets, remove non -tariff barriers and promote trail trade.
The two leaders expressed their satisfaction with the recent progress in Pakistan-Iran’s trade negotiations and have reaffirmed their commitment to increase the volume of bilateral trade of the current $ 3 billion to $ 10 billion in the near future.
Regional and global problems were also on the agenda. Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked Iranian management for his strong and vocal support for the Palestinian cause in the face of Israeli brutality.
He reiterated the unshakable support of Pakistan for an independent Palestinian State in accordance with UN resolutions and called for an immediate end to Israeli atrocities in Gaza as well as urgent humanitarian assistance for the besieged population.
The two leaders urged the international community to take rapid measures to resolve the crisis. Prime Minister Sharif also expressed his gratitude for the constant support of Iran to the oppressed of Jammu and Kashmir (Iiojk).
The meeting ended with a lunch organized in honor of President Pezeshkian and his delegation.
