Raisi: Trade with Pakistan to hit $10b
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Iran and Pakistan enjoy unbreakable bonds and are determined to bolster their relations in different fields at all levels.
He said a key decision to increase bilateral trade volume to $10 billion has been reached as he addressed a high-profile joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday.
“In our meeting today, we (have) decided to promote bilateral relations between the two countries including political, economical, trade, cultural and others as far as possible,” said Raisi, who arrived in Pakistan earlier during the day amid stringent security measures.
“You will probably find some individuals who do not favor expansion and good bilateral relations between us but who cares – it is not important. We believe that it is important to expand relations between our countries,” added the Iranian president.
“We have decided as a first step to increase trade volume between our two countries to $10 billion.”
The two sides – which currently have bilateral trade of over $2 billion – also held a meeting earlier, and agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism.
Raisi noted that the Iranian nation has succeeded in turning cruel Western sanctions into an opportunity for the country’s development and added that Tehran is ready to transfer its experience in the fields of science and technology, transportation and transit to Islamabad.
“The entire Pakistani nation welcomes the visit of the Iranian President,” Radio Pakistan quoted the PM as saying.
In his address, Sharif said that the two sides discussed religious, security and historic matters during their meeting.
“Today is an opportunity to make this friendship a happy and prosperous one.”
Call to end genocide
in Gaza
The Pakistani PM also said Tehran and Islamabad have expressed their concern over Israel’s war in Gaza and asked the world to immediately put an end to the regime’s act of genocide in the strip.
Sharif added that an independent Palestinian country with al-Quds as its capital should be established, Press TV wrote.
He praised Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s legitimate support for the Palestinian people.
Israel waged its brutal US-backed war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.
However, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its declared objectives of “destroying Hamas” and finding Israeli captives despite killing at least 34,151 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 77,084 others.
Signing accords
Meanwhile, Iran and Pakistan signed eight accords on varying subjects to enhance cooperation in the different fields including trade, science technology, agriculture, health, culture, and judicial matters.
Raisi and Sharif witnessed the ceremony as the representatives from both sides signed the documents, APP reported.
The establishment of free trade zones along with the common border crossings, cooperation in the cinema and media sector, animal health, security, cooperatives and social welfare, standard, legal and judicial assistance in civil and commercial affairs were among main issues of the documents signed between the two sides.
The Iranian president’s visit comes at a significant time, especially in terms of rising tension in the region amid the Israeli aggression in Gaza, its attack on the Iranian consulate, and Iran’s subsequent retaliation followed by strikes on its territory.
Raisi arrived in Pakistan on an official visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising the foreign minister and other members of the cabinet, senior officials and a business delegation.
He was received by Federal Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada.
This is the first visit by any head of state to Pakistan after the February 8 general elections. The leader’s visit comes after Tehran launched an unprecedented retaliatory attack on Israel last week.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Office (FO) had said Raisi will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
“He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership,” it added.
“The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts,” the FO said.
“Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations,” the FO concluded.
Later on Monday, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed his Iranian counterpart Raisi at the President’s House.
“[I am] honored to welcome my brother President Ebrahim Raisi,” a post on the official X account of the President of Pakistan said.
“We expressed satisfaction at the trajectory of bilateral ties and agreed to further strengthen our dialogue and cooperation to reinforce existing ties.”
He further said that Pakistan and Iran were bound by common religion, history and culture.
A public holiday was announced in Karachi Division on Tuesday in view of the “visit of foreign dignitaries and to avoid inconvenience to the general public”.
As per a notification issued from the Commissioner Karachi office, all government and private offices, educational institutions (public/private), would remain closed on Tuesday except the essential services and officials involved in emergency
duties.