Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri-Moghaddam held a detailed meeting to explore ways to strengthen bilateral trade, economic cooperation and cross-border connectivity between Pakistan and Iran.
The discussion focused on existing trade initiatives, follow-up on recent agreements and new opportunities to expand economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Jam Kamal congratulated the ambassador on the successful organization of the 22nd Session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission in Islamabad. He invited Iranian companies and state-owned organisations to participate in the upcoming FoodAg Exhibition scheduled for November 25–27, 2025, at the Karachi Expo Centre, noting that the platform would help businesses from both sides explore partnerships, joint ventures and investment prospects in the agri-food sector.
He proposed facilitating high-level visits, including those of the Chief Minister of Balochistan and the Governor of Zahedan, to enhance cross-border trade and uplift communities living along the border. He also suggested arranging visits of Pakistani ministers from the maritime, railways and communications sectors to Iran to explore cooperation in their respective fields.
Ambassador Amiri-Moghaddam reviewed progress on bilateral trade and recalled earlier agreements for the import of 400,000 tons of rice, 300,000 tons of meat, 200,000 tons of maize and 50,000 tons of animal feed. He said Iran had completed rice imports and was now ready to proceed with purchases of animal feed and maize.
Jam Kamal noted that bilateral engagements over the past year had yielded positive outcomes and thanked the ambassador for acknowledging Pakistan’s amendments to the barter trade mechanism under the SRO, which had eased procedures for traders. He informed that the text of the Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement, signed in Islamabad, was under internal review and expected to be presented for approval soon.
The ambassador welcomed the development and confirmed that flights between Quetta and Zahedan had resumed, improving connectivity for travellers and trade.
Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran, rooted in shared history, culture and mutual respect. They reiterated the shared goal of reaching US$10 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2028 and expressed satisfaction over the successful Joint Economic Commission session held in Tehran on September 15–16, 2025.
Jam Kamal said the Ministry of Commerce, in consultation with the FBR and Ministry of Communications, was working to resolve issues faced by Iranian trucks entering Pakistan. He also called for reactivating the Pakistan-Iran Joint Business Council to promote business-to-business engagement.
Highlighting trade facilitation measures, the minister welcomed the reactivation of the Mand-Pishin Joint Border Market on July 30, 2025, and urged speedy operationalisation of the remaining two border markets at Chegdi-Kouhak and Gabd-Reemdan. He stressed reducing non-tariff barriers, particularly through closer coordination between the National Plant Protection Organizations and quarantine authorities of both countries.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation. Jam Kamal reiterated Pakistan’s invitation to Iranian businesses to participate in the FoodAg Exhibition in Karachi, signalling continued momentum in economic engagement.
