Pakistan and Iran agreed on Thursday to strengthen rail and road connectivity and revive a bilateral transport mechanism to facilitate trade, as the two neighbors seek to build on recent diplomatic engagement following the Iran-US ceasefire by expanding economic cooperation.
Talks in Islamabad Focus on Transport and Trade
The understanding was reached during talks in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Iran’s Minister for Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh. The meeting came days after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan and thanked Islamabad for its role in helping end the recent conflict between Iran and the United States.
Pakistan and Iran share a nearly 900-kilometer border and have sought for years to expand economic ties through border markets, barter trade and improved transport links. However, bilateral trade has remained well below potential, constrained largely by international sanctions on Tehran, limited banking channels and weak cross-border infrastructure.
Opportunity Amid Ceasefire Negotiations
With Iran now engaged in negotiations with the United States on a broader peace framework, officials in Islamabad see an opportunity to deepen connectivity, facilitate trade and advance long-delayed cooperation in areas including transport and energy.
“During the discussions, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan ... emphasized that future road and rail links between Pakistan and Iran will be further strengthened, noting that robust land connectivity is vital to unlocking immense trade opportunities for both nations,” said an official statement circulated by his ministry after the meeting.
Joint Transport Committee to Be Revived
“Both delegations thoroughly reviewed various proposals and agreed to fully activate the Pakistan-Iran Joint Transport Committee to streamline bilateral logistics,” it added. The Pakistani minister also assured the Iranian delegation that transport-related bottlenecks would be addressed on a priority basis.
Iranian Minister Farzaneh Sadegh thanked Pakistan for what she described as its constructive role in helping restore peace in the region. “We highly value the unwavering support and cooperation of our Pakistani brothers,” she said, according to the statement.
Border Clearance Issues Addressed
The Iranian delegation also raised issues related to the clearance of trucks and containers at the border, with officials from both countries agreeing to implement joint measures to resolve outstanding logistical bottlenecks and facilitate cross-border movement.
