ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the significance of Pakistan-Iran border markets in improving the socioeconomic conditions of the border regions and creating new opportunities for local businesses.
In an interview with Iran’s state news agency IRNA, he said that these initiatives reflect the vitality of the Pakistan-Iran friendship and contribute to enhanced cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the economic domain.
The prime minister, alongside Iran’s President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, jointly inaugurated the Mand-Pishin border sustenance market, which is one of the six border markets planned along the Pak-Iran common border.
The establishment of these markets aims to boost bilateral trade and strengthen economic ties between Pakistan and Iran.
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural, and linguistic ties that bind Pakistan and Iran as brotherly countries. He emphasised that both governments are working closely to uplift the socioeconomic conditions of their people.
He also underlined the significance of the Mand-Pishin border marketplace and the Polan-Gabd electricity project as tangible manifestations of the commitment to cooperation between the two nations.
To achieve the desired annual trade volume of $5 billion, the prime minister called for intensified efforts and collective utilisation of resources, highlighting the immense potential and mutual desire for expanding trade between Pakistan and Iran. He commended the operationalisation of the barter trade mechanism as a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Regarding regional developments, Prime Minister Sharif congratulated the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia on the resumption of diplomatic ties. He expressed confidence that this milestone achievement, facilitated by China, would contribute to regional peace and prosperity.
The prime minister also emphasised the importance of the Polan-Gwadar electricity project as a symbol of the strong Pakistan-Iran friendship and a testament to the potential of bilateral cooperation. He acknowledged ongoing discussions between Pakistan and Iran to enhance maritime and port cooperation, particularly between the sister ports of Gwadar and Chabahar.
Sharif stressed the critical role of Afghanistan in regional peace and prosperity, referring to it as the beating “Heart of Asia,” echoing the words of poet Muhammad Iqbal, a renowned poet and philosopher.
He expressed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting shared prosperity for Afghanistan and the region, noting the country’s current challenges in security, economy, and humanitarian domains.
The prime minister urged the international community to support the Taliban government in Kabul through constructive engagement, prioritising counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, and inclusive governance while also promoting sustainable economic pathways for the Afghan people.
Highlighting the longstanding cooperation between Pakistan and Iran rooted in cultural and people-to-people exchanges, the prime minister praised the recent agreement between IRNA and Associated Press of Pakistan, to promote media collaboration.
He mentioned ongoing discussions for agreements in various fields, such as television, films, cinema, literary, and linguistic enterprises, which would further strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two nations and showcase their rich culture and traditions.
