Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Iran have agreed to accelerate efforts to expand their bilateral trade to $10 billion at the earliest possible time.
During a joint press interaction held in Islamabad on Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, highlighted that several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) had been signed, which would be converted into formal agreements aimed at achieving the new trade milestone.
PM Shehbaz strongly denounced the recent Israeli attacks on Iran, calling them unjustified and entirely unwarranted.
He emphasized that the condemnation was not only official but was also deeply felt by the people of Pakistan.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding position, he stated that Iran, under the United Nations Charter, has the legitimate right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful uses.
The prime minister also noted that both nations share identical views on the issue of terrorism, reiterating that terrorism in any form or on any soil — whether in Pakistan or Iran — is unacceptable and will be jointly addressed.
Touching upon the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Shehbaz Sharif urged the global community to come together and demand an immediate end to hostilities.
He praised Iran’s consistent and vocal support for the Palestinian cause, which continues to draw sympathy and solidarity from Pakistan as well.
The premier went on to draw parallels between the plight of Palestinians and the suffering of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), pointing out that Kashmiris have long endured oppression under Indian rule.
He called for the international recognition of the Kashmiri people’s inherent right to self-determination and expressed gratitude to Iran for its unwavering support in this regard.
In his remarks, President Pezeshkian thanked the Pakistani leadership and public for standing by Iran during the recent period of Israeli aggression. In a symbolic gesture of goodwill, he quoted poetry by Allama Iqbal, underlining the spirit of unity and shared cultural heritage between the two nations.
He referred to Pakistan not just as a neighbor but as a brother, expressing a strong commitment to strengthening ties in every sphere, including economic, political, and cultural domains.
The Iranian president noted that the documents signed during this visit reflected serious intent to deepen cooperation.
The two sides also reiterated their determination to curb terrorism and enhance security along their shared border, viewing it as a critical step toward greater regional development.
They jointly condemned the ongoing violence and civilian casualties in Gaza, calling for its immediate end and emphasizing the importance of collective action by the Muslim world.
President Pezeshkian extended an invitation to PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit Iran to continue high-level discussions and review progress on the commitments made. He also expressed appreciation for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation.
Earlier in the day, both leaders held a comprehensive meeting focused on advancing the multifaceted cooperation already in place between their countries. The discussions centered around boosting trade, enhancing connectivity, promoting cultural ties, and encouraging people-to-people exchanges.
They considered several initiatives to improve trade flow, such as launching barter trade mechanisms, increasing export quotas for key Pakistani goods like rice, fruits, and meat, and operationalizing border markets.
They also addressed various trade-related hurdles and expressed satisfaction with the outcome of recent trade negotiations.
PM called for an early convening of the 22nd session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission, expected in the near future.