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PM Abbasi, Iran's FM Zarif agree on increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2021
During a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi emphasised the need for Pakistan and Iran to work together 'in all earnest' to reach the $5 billion trade target by 2021, RadioPak reported on Monday.
The prime minister vowed to remove all obstacles that were hindering the progress of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project. Abbasi and Zarif agreed that both countries would benefit from regional economic integration.
The importance of peace in Afghanistan for stability and economic progress of the region was also discussed.
Prime Minister Abbasi reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to facilitate the peace process in Afghanistan and urged Iran's government to play its part. He said as neighbours, both Iran and Pakistan can play an important part in achieving peace in the region.
Zarif also lauded Pakistan's efforts to minimise illegal cross-border activities by strengthening border management across the border shared with Iran. He also hailed the increasing interaction between the two countries' administrations as a positive sign.
Iran's foreign minister had arrived in Pakistan on Sunday night, leading a high-level delegation that includes a large group of businessmen and is scheduled to meet civilian and military leadership.
Before Zarif's arrival, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted by Iranian media as having said that the Iranian minister would review issues of mutual interest with a special focus on expansion of economic and trade relations between the two neighbours.
The two countries are continuing to face challenges in ties despite the apparent improvement in them since Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s trip to Tehran late last year.
With Iran leasing out Chabahar Port to India and Pakistan Army announcing deployment of troops to Saudi Arabia, the mutual mistrust between the neighbours stands renewed.
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Comments (7) Closed
Welcome aboard. Remember, neighbors are for ever whereas friends are only transient.
The completion of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline is the economico-geopolitical cornerstone for the deep relations between the two countries.
What % will be import and what % will be export? That is more important figure than the sum total.
Such targets of trade have been set for decades and are usually announced during high/ senior level visits just to convey to the public that the visit was a success. Nothing, however, happens afterwards.
Iran always stabbed back so all these agreements have no value. Pakistani politicians have no interest in protecting Pakistan as they also lack intelligence to differentiate between right and wrong.
Five billion is better than nothing.
Pakistan should be aware of duplicate behavior and stabbing Pakistan in back, The recent example of Iran president visit to India our arch enemy. The Iranians will do anything to break Pakistan as they are active with India in planting Indian agents, subversive activities to choke Pakistan. All Iranian policies are based on their prejudice specially the current leadership.