QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Iranian Governor (of the bordering province) Mohammad Sadegh Bijar held wide-ranging talks here, agreeing to deepen economic ties, expand border markets, and strengthen security cooperation along the shared frontier.
The two sides conducted detailed discussions on Pakistan-Iran relations, bilateral trade, border management, investment, regional peace, security cooperation, and economic connectivity, according to officials present at the meeting.
At the outset, Chief Minister Bugti expressed profound condolences to the Iranian leadership and people over the recent loss of senior Iranian figures. He stated that the people of Pakistan, particularly those of Balochistan, stood in complete solidarity with Iran during this difficult time. Governor Bijar thanked the government and people of Balochistan for their support and goodwill.
Governor Bijar emphasized that the primary objective of his visit was to expand economic and trade ties between the two neighboring countries. He noted that current bilateral trade stood at approximately $3 billion and expressed confidence that it could be increased to $10 billion through joint, sustained efforts. He added that stronger border trade would not only stimulate economic activity on both sides but also help address shared security challenges.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment, Chief Minister Bugti pledged full support for promoting border barter trade and achieving the ambitious $10 billion trade target. He agreed that expanding economic opportunities would contribute significantly to peace, stability, and an improved security environment in the region.
The chief minister announced that the three existing border markets along the Pakistan-Iran border would be made more active and efficient. He added that plans were underway to establish additional border markets, which would create employment opportunities and facilitate commerce for local communities residing in border areas.
Bugti also described the proposed Chagai-Sukkur railway track upgrade as a strategically vital project that would substantially improve cargo transportation and further enhance bilateral trade flows between the two countries.
In a major security-related announcement, Bugti revealed that the provincial government was establishing a dedicated security division to protect and monitor the Western Corridor. He stated that the initiative would help secure the mineral corridor, facilitate trade with Iran, and strengthen overall economic linkages.
Emphasizing that lasting peace is the foundation of sustainable development, the chief minister called for coordinated action by both nations to eliminate non-state actors operating from their respective territories. He stressed that this would enable people living on both sides of the border to benefit from peace, stability, and economic progress.
Bugti also informed the Iranian delegation that the Balochistan government was actively developing modern slaughterhouses and cold-storage facilities to promote livestock trade. He welcomed Iranian investment in this sector, expressing optimism about future economic collaboration.
