Iran, Pakistan to Draft $10b Trade Roadmap Within Three Months

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 22nd Joint Economic Commission between Iran and Pakistan on Monday, Sadegh described the meeting as a turning point in strengthening economic ties between the two neighboring Muslim nations.

She highlighted the long-standing relationship between Tehran and Islamabad, noting that the commission could pave the way for cooperation in trade, banking, transit, energy, agriculture, and culture.

Sadegh thanked Pakistan for its continued support of Iran on bilateral, regional, and international levels, particularly in the aftermath of Israel’s 12-day assault on Iran earlier this year. She said the gesture reflected the depth of friendship between the two nations and Pakistan’s constructive role in regional stability.

According to official figures, bilateral trade between Iran and Pakistan reached $3.129 billion in 2024, with $2.423 billion in Iranian exports to Pakistan and $700 million in Pakistani exports to Iran.

During President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Islamabad, the two countries agreed to set a target of $10 billion in annual trade, a goal that Sadegh described as a sign of strong political will on both sides.

She proposed that within the next three months, the roadmap for achieving this target should be drafted and signed by the relevant ministers. Establishing a secure financial channel and strengthening banking relations, she added, would be essential to this process.

Sadegh emphasized the need to upgrade transport infrastructure, including expanding border facilities at Mirjaveh and Taftan, and advancing the Zahedan–Taftan–Quetta railway project.

She also called for launching new shipping lines between Karachi (Port Qasim and Gwadar) and Iranian ports such as Chabahar and Bandar Abbas.

Highlighting progress in air transport, she noted the inauguration of direct flights between Tehran and Islamabad on September 8, and urged further expansion of flight destinations, airport cooperation, and air fleet exchanges along regional corridors.

The minister also revealed plans to launch a monthly ECO freight train on the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul route, calling it a strategic regional railway project.

Sadegh underlined Iran’s readiness to expand agricultural exports to Pakistan and stressed energy cooperation. She announced the official operation of the 132-kilovolt Plan–Jiwani power line and highlighted new initiatives in fiber-optic connectivity and communications.

The minister also referred to plans to increase the number of joint border markets, announcing that the Pishin–Mand market will reopen on August 30, 2025, creating new opportunities for local trade and employment.

She further encouraged the formation of joint committees to boost cultural, scientific, and tourism exchanges between the two countries.

The Minister of Roads and Urban Development also emphasized the significant potential for cooperation in the fields of tourism and handicrafts, suggesting that these areas could be further developed through the organization of meetings, seminars, and cultural weeks.” Trade Roadmap ”

Concluding her remarks, Sadegh expressed hope that the commission’s negotiations and final agreements would lead to “practical and effective steps” in strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.