Iran seeks to triple trade with Pakistan to $10 billion

Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni called on Tuesday for boosting bilateral trade with Pakistan to $10 billion, up from nearly $3 billion currently.

Momeni made the appeal during an official visit to Islamabad, as Tehran and Islamabad look to deepen economic ties and expand cross-border commerce.

How much is Iran-Pakistan trade currently, and what is the new target?

Bilateral trade between Iran and Pakistan currently stands at close to $3 billion annually.

Momeni said the two countries should work to more than triple that figure to $10 billion, a goal both governments have reaffirmed in recent high-level talks.

What did Momeni say during his visit to Islamabad?

Momeni made the remarks on his arrival in Islamabad for the official visit. He said one of the trip's key objectives was to review progress on agreements reached during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Pakistan in June and to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation further.

He also called for a significant increase in cross-border trade. Momeni said the two countries should facilitate the daily movement of at least 2,000 trucks or cargo containers through the Pakistan-Iran border to improve the flow of goods and enhance commercial connectivity.

Who is part of Iran's delegation to Pakistan?

Momeni is leading a high-level delegation that includes senior officials from Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province.

The delegation also includes representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Petroleum, Industry, Mining and Trade, Economic Affairs and Finance, Agriculture, and Roads and Urban Development, along with officials from the country's Customs Administration.