Tazeen Akhtar
Two neighbors and two brothers as well Pakistan and Iran have put the bilateral cooperation onto a way forward where both can transform their neighborhood and historical religious, cultural, traditional ties into meaningful trade and economic cooperation. The bilateral cooperation that was a priority of both of them but the proxies, regional dynamics and certain policies were not letting both of them to go in that way, is being sought from both sides and the Five-Year Trade Cooperation Plan (2023-28), which inter alia, sets a bilateral trade target of US$ 5 billion is the first milestone both have reached on 03 Aug 2023 after delegation level detailed and extensive discussion between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Irani Counterpart H.E Hossein Amir Abdollahian at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad encompassing the entire gamut of our bilateral relations.
Pakistan and Iran signed documents of understanding to prioritize removing impediments on bilateral trade, finalization of the FTA, and establishment of institutional linkages between respective private sectors. They signed a Protocol on Bilateral Economic Consultations, encompassing the rich and in-depth sectoral discussions held between both sides and a Protocol on the 3rd meeting of the Joint Investment Committee (JIC) on issue of bilateral investments.
Irani Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan at Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s invitation, held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf and Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani after his visit to MOFA Pakistan and signing of the agreements. Earlier FM Bilawal had visited Iran and now his Irani counterpart is on Pakistan visit.FM Bilawal after assuming the charge of MOFA went to Iran on his first foreign visit in June 2022 that speaks a lot how much importance Pakistan attaches to cooperation with Iran.
Iran-Pakistan Trade Registered Record $2.2 Billion Despite US Sanctions & Corona Restrictions
FM Bilawal in joint press stakeout with Irani counterpart, said the five-year trade cooperation plan was aimed at removing impediments in bilateral trade, finalising a free trade agreement and establishing institutional linkages between the private sectors of both countries.The two sides had agreed to prioritise the operationalisation of the five remaining border markets by the end of this year.
The steps both countries have taken will chart the course for a long-term durable economic partnership between our two countries in the months and years ahead.
FM Iran emphasised the need for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and tourism.He also emphasised the completion of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, saying that the project would “definitely serve the national interests of the two countries”.
Mr. Abdollahian said both countries were committed to increasing the bilateral trade to $5bn and had agreed to set up a special economic free trade region along the common border points.Pakistan and Iran had decided to repatriate all the sentenced prisoners as per the provisions of existing agreements between the two countries. An agreement was also reached to set fishermen from each other countries free and waive off any fine imposed by authorities of both countries for the release of their vessels, he added. Bilawal said the two sides would exchange the lists of prisoners to put into practice this understanding expeditiously.
“grave human rights situation” in India-occupied Kashmir also came under discussion during the meeting and thanked the Iranian leadership for its “firm and consistent support to the legitimate cause of the people of the valley, Bilawal shared with media.
Both sides had also agreed to continue their active engagement on Afghanistan with the view to advance peace and stability there and promote the well being and prosperity of Afghan brothers and sisters. An agreement was also reached to continue cooperation for countering Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred, he said.
FM Iran agreed to Bilawal who called for supporting the people of Afghanistan, highlighting that any situation in Afghanistan would have an impact in the neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Iran.
Abdollahian also condemned the recent terrorist attack in Bajaur and extended sympathies to the bereaved families, people of Pakistan in general and the government of Pakistan.
FM Bilawal Bhutto expressed his thoughts regarding Iran as :
A small reflection of our efforts was the joint inauguration of Mand-Pishin border marketplace and Gabd-Polan electricity project, by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of Iran, on 18 May, 2023. This was not merely a ‘brick and mortar’ project – it was instead, an affirmation of our collective commitment to find collaborative solutions for the betterment of our two peoples.
Today, countless schools, hospitals and households in Gwadar are run on electricity being provided by Iran. Proposals for the expansion of our cooperation in trade and economy, energy, and culture and arts are underway. I am confident that the steps we are taking today will chart the course for a long-term and durable economic partnership between our two countries in the months and years ahead.
Pakistan and Iran enjoy a complete convergence of views on all issues of mutual interest – we believe that our prosperity and development is firmly intertwined with peace and stability of our neighbourhood and the region. Pakistan espouses a vision for greater regional integration based on enhanced trade and connectivity. This is fully aligned President Raisi’s policy of “Neighborhood First”.
To this end, we have agreed to prioritize operationalization of the five remaining border markets, by the end of this year. We also discussed ways and means to leverage our unique strategic location, as a ‘conduit’ between South, Central and West Asia. I and Foreign Minister Abdollahian agree that the ECO is uniquely placed to play this role. As founding members of the Organizations, we will work with other ECO states towards achieving this goal.
We have also decided to release all fishermen in custody in Pakistan and Iran, to waive-off any fines imposed on them and to release their vessels. The two sides will exchange list of prisoners, to put into practice this understanding, expeditiously. We also reaffirmed our commitment to keep our common border as one of peace and friendship.
Regarding the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran agreed to continue their active engagement with a view to advancing peace and stability in Afghanistan, and to promote the well-being and prosperity of our Afghan brothers and sisters.
Meeting with Prime Minister
The Foreign Minister of Iran, Mr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, called on the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. Underscoring the close brotherly relations between the two countries, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen these ties, with particular focus on enhancing cooperation in the economic domain.
Recalling the joint inauguration, with President Ebrahim Raisi, of the Mand-Pishin border marketplace on 18 May 2023, the Prime Minister stressed that initiatives aimed at economic uplift of the border areas, were a tangible manifestation of the shared priority to collectively work for the betterment of our two peoples.
