Pakistan, Iran to enhance trade volume to $10bn, says Dr Raisi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran would enhance bilateral trade volume to US$10 billion, said Iran’s President Dr Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, as he called for steps to increase border markets to promote business and trade activities at border areas, besides improving security.

President Raisi made these remarks during a joint presser with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad after arriving in Pakistan on a three-day official visit — the first of a head of state after the February 8 general elections.

Dr Raisi also witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements and MoUs at the PM House. He said the two countries shared common affinities and no one could separate them. He added the two sides in their meetings decided to further promote bilateral ties in trade and economic sectors.

Prime Minister Sharif said under the leadership of the Iranian President, the two countries could bring development and prosperity in their respective sides by turning their borders into hub of business activities. He said during their meeting, the two sides held detailed discussions on various fields of mutual interests including economy, trade, investment, diplomacy, security and culture.

President Dr Raisi said there were a number of common issues including fight against terrorism, efforts to curb organised crimes and smuggling, in which the two sides could enhance their cooperation.

He stressed that it was significant to further broaden bilateral ties for the benefit of the two countries, besides continuity of cooperation at the highest level.

President Raisi said Iran had achieved immense progress in science and technology and it was ready to share their experiences and knowledge.

Conveying best regards from the people and the Supreme Leader of Iran to the people of Pakistan, Dr Raisi said they had always been supporting the oppressed people of various areas of the world, specially the people of Gaza and had always been defending Islam and raising their voice for the freedom of Quds Al-Sharif. He said today people in different parts of the world were in pain due to current situation in Palestine. At the same time, he said the international organisations such as United Nations and UN Security Council which claim to support human rights could not perform their core responsibility.

President Raisi emphasised that the people belonging to all religions across the world including that of Iran and Pakistan, were calling for an end to the oppression and barbarism against the people of Palestine.

Prime Minister Sharif commended Iran’s robust stand for the people of Gaza, and said the resolution of the UNSC with respect to Palestine was being violated.He regretted that over 35,000 people had so far been martyred in Palestine. He also called for raising voice at various international forums including Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) till complete ceasefire in Gaza.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said the Kashmir Valley had also been “turned to red by the blood of the oppressed Kashmiris”.