Islamabad: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has said Iran and Pakistan remain committed to increasing bilateral trade from the current $3 billion to $10 billion, emphasizing that improved border infrastructure and smoother cross-border logistics will be crucial to achieving the target.
Speaking to Pakistani and Iranian media at Nur Khan Air Base on Monday alongside Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Momeni said the visit is focused on expanding strategic and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
The Iranian minister said bilateral trade currently stands at around $3 billion, while both governments have agreed to raise it to $10 billion in the first phase through enhanced economic cooperation and stronger connectivity.
Border Infrastructure Key to Achieving $10 Billion Trade Target
Momeni said reaching the trade target would require an average of 2,000 trucks or cargo containers to cross the Pakistan-Iran border each day. However, he noted that only 20 percent of the required cross-border movement is currently taking place.
He stressed that improving customs facilities, transport infrastructure, and border management on both sides is essential to facilitate trade, adding that these issues are a major focus of the ongoing talks.
The Iranian delegation accompanying Momeni includes senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Urban Development, reflecting the broad economic agenda of the visit.
Momeni said the visit follows up on agreements reached during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Pakistan, with both sides reviewing progress on previously agreed initiatives and discussing ways to accelerate their implementation.
In addition to trade and economic cooperation, the two countries are also expected to discuss regional developments and the evolving security environment during high-level meetings.
Read More: Iranian Interior Minister Arrives in Pakistan, Meets Mohsin Naqvi to Discuss Bilateral Cooperation
Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan highly values its longstanding relationship with Iran and expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation and produce positive outcomes for both countries.
Pakistan and Iran have been working to deepen economic cooperation through border markets, improved customs procedures, enhanced transport links, and greater collaboration in the energy and infrastructure sectors. During Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Pakistan, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade to $10 billion and accelerating the implementation of existing agreements aimed at improving regional connectivity and economic ties.
