Iran is planning to import large quantities of meat from Pakistan and is exploring the purchase of 200,000 tonnes of maize, a significant development poised to bolster economic relations between the two neighboring countries. The new trade opportunities were revealed by Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam during a meeting with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday.
The discussion centered on strengthening commercial links, with Minister Khan reaffirming his commitment to facilitating smoother cross-border movement of goods. He stated that the trade volume between the two nations has the potential to reach Rs. 10 billion through improved coordination and infrastructure development.
Khan assured the Iranian envoy that all necessary measures would be undertaken to resolve issues hampering the entry and exit of Iranian trade vehicles at border crossings. He announced that the Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the National Logistics Cell (NLC), would implement concrete measures to streamline these operations.
To expedite the process, the minister directed that a meeting be arranged between the Secretary of Communications and officials from the Iranian Embassy. While acknowledging that bureaucratic hurdles can cause delays, Khan stressed that ‘consistent follow-up and perseverance ultimately help overcome such challenges.’
He reiterated his support for the shared vision of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, noting that both leaders are determined to expand trade and connectivity. ‘The love and goodwill between Pakistan and Iran have increased manifold over the past six months,’ he remarked.
Ambassador Moghadam appreciated the minister’s efforts, particularly congratulating Pakistan for successfully organizing the Regional Transport Ministers Conference (RTMC). He noted that the participation of Iran’s Minister for Transport and Urban Development, Ms. Farzaneh Sadegh, was significant and helped foster meaningful dialogue.
The ambassador praised Khan for uniting regional stakeholders to discuss commerce and connectivity, saying these initiatives have greatly strengthened Pakistan-Iran cooperation.
According to Mr. Moghadam, relations between the two countries are now at their strongest in four decades, with a series of high-level visits and follow-up meetings planned in the coming weeks to achieve shared economic goals. The Commercial Counsellor of Iran to Pakistan, Mr. Mohsin Shahbazi, also attended the meeting.