Pakistan and Iran on Monday vowed to lift bilateral trade to $10 billion as Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Memoni held a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Mohsin Naqvi. The Iranian minister, visiting Islamabad for crucial diplomatic negotiations, met Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir and PM Shahebaz on Tuesday.
The high-level engagement is unfolding while ongoing hostilities between the United States (US) and Iran continue to threaten regional stability and test Islamabad’s mediation efforts following the collapse of recent peace agreements.
Talks in the capital focus heavily on expanding economic ties to surpass the current $3 billion trade volume amidst a delicate geopolitical landscape.
Addressing reporters following the session, Momeni outlined the logistical requirements needed to bridge the commercial gap.
“To achieve this goal, in practice around 2,000 trucks or containers need to move between the two countries every day on average. At present, only about 20 percent of that target is being realized,” Momeni said, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry.
He stressed that upgrading physical networks remains vital for future economic growth. “Therefore, the necessary infrastructure must be provided on both sides of the border. This is one of the topics under discussion,” he added.
Momeni also noted that wider geopolitical concerns form a core component of the itinerary, stating that regional developments are naturally among the subjects coming up on the trip.
The visiting delegation includes the Governor-General of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province alongside officials from transport and oil sectors. During the visit the Iranian interior minister held meetings with Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Asim Munir to discuss the future of the peace deal with the US and the stability and security of the region.
Welcoming his counterpart, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed hope that the diplomatic outreach would yield positive momentum. “I hope that Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has brought good news,” Naqvi said, adding that he hopes for progress on the regional situation.
