ISLAMABAD: Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam on Thursday said with the improvement in Iran-Saudi relations, a new era of peace, development and prosperity is beginning in the region.

“Pakistan and Iran need to take advantage of these opportunities together,” Ambassador Moghadam said talking to a delegation from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

The delegation called upon him in the Iranian embassy and discussed matters such as barter trade, energy projects and people-to-people contacts.

Mr Moghadam said he had come to Pakistan especially on the instructions of Iranian Supreme Leader Syed Ayatollah Khamenei and his priority was the improvement of trade relations between the two countries.

“Trade between Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Russia in local currencies will benefit all regional countries,” he added.

The meeting noted that the current trade volume between Iran and Pakistan can be increased through the barter trade of rice, meat, sports goods, surgical instruments, fruits, dry fruits, agricultural implements, energy and other commodities.

The Iranian envoy stressed direct flights between Islamabad and Tehran.

“Besides there is a need to improve road and rail networks between Iran and Pakistan to reduce the cost of transporting goods,” he said.

He added that Pakistan and Iran were part of organisations like D8, ECO and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and both the countries should play a role to activate these regional organisations.

Both the sides noted that Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline was a mutually beneficial project and it should be completed for the development of the whole region.

ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, who was leading the delegation, said Pakistan and Iran not only shared borders but both countries were also connected by historical and cultural ties.

Both the countries have actively supported each other in every difficult time and the development and prosperity of Pakistan and Iran are interlinked.

He stressed exchange of trade delegations on a regular basis, adding approval of barter trade projects with other countries of the region was an historic opportunity that will benefit the entire region.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2023