ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday set an ambitious $10 billion bilateral trade target, pledging to fast-track economic ties and resolve long-stalled energy projects during a high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Dr Ali Ardeshir Larijani, who called on President Asif Ali Zardari, conveyed warm greetings from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. He thanked Pakistan for its “unwavering diplomatic and moral support” during Iran’s recent 12-day conflict, declaring that “Pakistan’s victory is our victory.”
President Zardari reciprocated Iran’s solidarity after Pakistan’s floods and its consistent backing on Kashmir and Palestine, while praising Tehran’s resilience against “Israeli aggression.”
Both sides agreed to grant Pakistani goods preferential market access in Iran and prioritise rail connectivity to boost trade and facilitate Zaireen pilgrimage. Reviving the delayed Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline featured prominently, with Zardari stressing a “mutually workable solution” amid Pakistan’s acute energy crunch. Recent technical talks in Islamabad were welcomed, with follow-up discussions slated for Tehran.
The leaders described frequent high-level exchanges as evidence of deepening fraternal ties rooted in shared history, faith and culture, vowing enhanced cooperation in security, counter-terrorism and regional stability.