ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam on Saurday to discuss steps for further strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the minister congratulated the Iranian envoy on the successful conclusion of the 22nd session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission, and invited Iranian companies and government institutions to participate in the “FoodAg” exhibition being held from November 25 to 27, 2025, at the Karachi Expo Centre.
Jam Kamal said the exhibition would create new opportunities for investment and partnerships in the agriculture and food sectors of both countries. He proposed arranging high-level meetings between the Chief Minister of Balochistan and the Governor of Zahedan to boost trade and improve livelihoods in border areas. He further suggested inviting Pakistan’s Ministers for Maritime Affairs, Railways, and Communications to Iran to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Amiri Moghadam highlighted recent progress in bilateral trade, noting that Iran had completed the import of 400,000 tons of rice from Pakistan and was now ready to purchase animal feed and maize. The commerce minister said that relations between the two countries had strengthened over the past year due to positive developments.
He thanked the ambassador for appreciating Pakistan’s amendments to the barter trade mechanism, which have improved business facilitation between the two sides. Jam Kamal informed that the draft of the Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was under review and would soon be formally approved.
Welcoming the progress, the Iranian ambassador said that direct flights between Quetta and Zahedan had been resumed, which would help enhance trade and people-to-people connectivity. Both sides expressed satisfaction over their brotherly ties and shared cultural and historical bonds, reaffirming their commitment to increase bilateral trade to USD 10 billion annually by 2028.
The commerce minister said the ministry, in coordination with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Communications, was addressing the issues faced by Iranian trucks entering Pakistan. He also emphasized the need to revitalize the Pakistan-Iran Joint Business Council to further promote private sector collaboration.
Jam Kamal welcomed the activation of the Mand-Pishin border market on July 30, 2025, and called for the early operationalization of the Chegdi-Kuhak and Gabd-Rimdan joint border markets. He stressed the importance of reducing non-tariff barriers and promoting closer cooperation between quarantine institutions of both countries.
The meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides reaffirming their resolve to deepen bilateral trade, investment, and economic ties. Jam Kamal reiterated his invitation to Iranian businessmen to participate in the upcoming FoodAg exhibition in Karachi, saying the collaboration would open a new chapter in the economic partnership between Pakistan and Iran.
It is pertinent to mention here that Iran President had visited Pakistan in August this year where he discussed ways to enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries.
Several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between Pakistan and Iran to strengthen bilateral ties during his visit/
