ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have 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 on Monday, 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.
