ISLAMABAD:– Pakistan and Iran “reiterated the importance of cooperation in the field of energy, including trade in electricity, electricity transmission lines and the IP Gas Pipeline project”, according to a joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministry after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday culminated in a three-day official visit.
“The two sides agreed to further expand trade and economic cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to transform their common border from a ‘border of peace’ to a ‘border of prosperity’ through joint economic development projects, including the establishment of common border markets. economic free zones and re-opening of borders,” the statement said.
While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Raisi held talks on a wide range of issues, they agreed to boost their bilateral trade to $10 billion over the next five years.
They also emphasized the need for a long-term sustainable economic partnership and a collaborative regional economic and connectivity model, especially for socio-economic development in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan provinces and Pakistan’s Balochistan provinces.
TERRORISM IS A COMMON THREAT
Pakistan and Iran have condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, which they say poses a common threat to regional peace and stability and is a major obstacle to the development of the region.
At the same time, they also reiterated the importance of regular cooperation and exchange of views between political, military and security officials of both countries in the fight against threats such as terrorism, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering and kidnapping.
AFGHANISTAN
Recognizing that the existence of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to regional and global security, the two sides reaffirmed their willingness to strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation and form a united front against terrorism.
While respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, both sides recognized that the increasing participation of all sections of Afghans in basic decision-making will lead to the strengthening of peace and stability in the country.
BARTER TRADE
The joint statement also mentions the total consensus to fully operationalize barter mechanisms to facilitate economic and trade activities, especially under ongoing joint efforts such as border subsistence markets, which would contribute to improving the economic situation of the local population and further represent a step towards increased security borders.
CONNECTIONS AND COLLABORATION
Pakistan and Iran also emphasized the importance of using their respective geographies to promote connectivity between the two countries and with the wider region.
In this context, Pakistan and Iran, which are members of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), have expressed their firm commitment to enhance cooperation in connectivity, infrastructure development and energy. The two countries also agreed to expand mutually beneficial and sustainable links between the sister ports of Gwadar and Chahbahar.
They noted the mutual recognition that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an important forum for regional security and development, and stressed the importance of the early resumption of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group to coordinate efforts to maintain stability and develop economic ties in the country. region.
CONCILIATION OF DISPUTES
“In light of regional and global developments, both sides emphasized the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy to find mutually acceptable solutions to common challenges,” the joint statement said.
Both sides emphasized the need to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue and peaceful means based on the will of the people of the region and in accordance with international law.
ISRAELI AGGRESSION
At the same time, the countries expressed their strong and unequivocal condemnation of the Israeli regime’s continued aggression and atrocities against the Palestinian people, along with the inhumane blockade of Gaza, which has resulted in widespread death and destruction, as well as the displacement of millions of Palestinians.
They called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access to the besieged people of Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians, as well as accountability for crimes committed by the Israeli regime.
In addition, both sides strongly condemned the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, which was an unacceptable violation of Syria’s sovereignty and undermined its stability and security.
Acknowledging that the irresponsible act by Israeli regime forces was a major escalation in an already unstable region, both sides called on the UN Security Council to stop the Israeli regime from adventuring in the region and from its illegal acts of attacking its neighbors and targeting foreign diplomatic installations .
