ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening regional trade and connectivity by advancing the Silk Road and Gwadar–Chabahar projects.
The two countries agreed to collaborate more closely on transport infrastructure, maritime trade, and economic integration during high-level talks held in Islamabad as part of the Iranian President’s official visit.
Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh participated in a joint session held with Pakistan’s Federal Ministers for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, and Railways Hanif Abbasi, said a release issued on Sunday.
During the meeting, Iran expressed interest in joining the Silk Road initiative with Pakistan and China, and it discussed expanding maritime trade via the Gwadar-Chabahar Route.
The discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding friendly and bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly by enhancing transportation, connectivity network and road infrastructure.
Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan congratulated Iran on its great success and firm stance against Israel, describing it as a matter of pride and solidarity for the entire Muslim World.
He emphasised that Pakistan and Iran have always stood by each other, while recent developments have brought the two nations closer.
Aleem Khan invited the Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development to attend the upcoming Ministerial Conference in Pakistan on October 23-24, which will be hosted by Pakistan and will have ministers from 20 countries participating.
In response, the Iranian Minister Farzaneh Sadegh expressed her deep appreciation for Pakistan’s support against Israeli aggression and extended sentiments of goodwill to the people of Pakistan.
The Iranian Minister highlighted the need to increase the number of vehicles operating between Iran and Pakistan and suggested modernising the current Quetta-Zahedan Route.
Pakistan’s Communications Minister proposed forming bilateral working groups to accelerate the implementation of agreed initiatives.
During the meeting, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan briefed the Iranian delegation on opportunities to expand trade volume and highlighted the significant untapped potential across various sectors. He noted that both countries can serve as viable markets for each other.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to review the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Railway Projects, adding that the Quetta-Zahedan Railway Line would be upgraded and expanded to improve regional connectivity.
In response, Iranian Minister Farzaneh Sadegh thanked her Pakistani counterparts and assured full cooperation from her country, Iran.
She described her visit to Pakistan as highly pleasant and memorable, expressing optimism for more dynamic and effective bilateral engagements going forward.
Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, recalling his recent visit to Iran, termed the progress in bilateral relations as positive and meaningful.
He also presented gifts to Iranian Minister Farzaneh Sadegh and conveyed warm wishes to the people of Iran.
