ISLAMABAD: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on Tuesday appreciated Pakistan's consistent efforts and indispensable diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation, and serving as an anchor for peace.
The Iranian minister arrived in Pakistan on Monday where he was received by his Pakistani counter Mohsin Naqvi alongside other senior officials.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the interior called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi today where the pair discussed matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security, and effective border management
According to the statement, the visiting Iranian dignitary appreciated Pakistan's consistent efforts and indispensable diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation, and serving as an anchor for peace.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and mutual prosperity.
$10 billion trade deal
Earlier today, Pakistan and Iran agreed to increase bilateral trade from the current $3 billion to $10 billion, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said at a media briefing at Nur Khan Airbase yesterday, according to an Associated Press of Pakistan report.
Speaking alongside Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Momeni said the two countries are committed to strengthening strategic and economic cooperation across multiple sectors.
He said a high-level Iranian delegation accompanying him includes senior officials from the ministries of Interior, Petroleum, Agriculture, and Urban Development.
“The visit aims to expand bilateral collaboration in these key sectors and review progress on agreements reached during the recent visit of the Iranian President to Pakistan.”
The Iranian interior minister noted that achieving the $10 billion trade target would require moving at least 2,000 trucks or containers across the border every day.
However, he said only around 20% of the required cross-border traffic is currently being achieved.
Momeni emphasized the need to improve border infrastructure and facilitate trade logistics on both sides of the border, adding that the issue is a key focus of the ongoing discussions, according to APP.
He also said the two sides will discuss the evolving regional security situation and ways to enhance cooperation in addressing shared challenges.
Welcoming his Iranian counterpart, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described him as "a brother" and expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran, producing positive outcomes for both countries.
Later today, Momeni met with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister's House.
The statement said PM Sharif conveyed a message of “goodwill and respect to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian,” as per the Shehbaz Digital Media X.
The prime minister urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid steps that could lead to further instability in the region, the statement said.