ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP) — Pakistan and Iran have formed a joint committee to address problems affecting border trade and logistics. The move shows both countries’ commitment to closer economic cooperation and regional connectivity.
Committee to focus on transport challenges
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Iran’s Minister for Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, in Islamabad.
According to an official statement, the Pakistan Iran border trade committee will include officials from both sides and submit its first report within a week. Its main task will be to resolve transportation and customs issues faced by Iranian commercial trucks entering Pakistan.
After the meeting, Minister Sadegh also met Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. The discussions reviewed progress on several Pakistan–Iran trade and connectivity projects.
Pakistan promises faster clearance for Iranian trucks
Abdul Aleem Khan assured the Iranian delegation that Pakistan would take immediate steps to ensure smooth cargo movement. He instructed the National Logistics Cell, the Federal Board of Revenue, and other departments to provide swift clearance for Iranian trade vehicles.
He said Pakistan is committed to promoting regional trade and transit. The minister added that Iran could use Pakistan’s routes for access to China and Central Asian countries. He said the Pakistan Iran border trade committee would help both nations expand economic activity and create regional growth.
Rail and commerce cooperation
During the joint session, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi called for faster implementation of the agreement signed with Iran in September. He announced that a review of the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul Train Project would take place in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed Pakistan’s plan to increase trade with Iran to 10 billion US dollars.
In response, Minister Sadegh thanked Abdul Aleem Khan for arranging the meeting. She reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to stronger cooperation in maritime affairs through Chabahar and Gwadar ports.
Strengthening regional connectivity
Sadegh said Iran’s president gives high importance to improving relations with Pakistan. She also praised the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad as a positive step toward better regional integration.
Both sides agreed that the Pakistan Iran border trade committee will serve as a platform for regular consultation on transport, logistics, and trade facilitation.
UN envoy lauds Pakistan’s road safety initiatives
Separately, Jean-Henri Todd, the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, met Abdul Aleem Khan to discuss Pakistan’s new road safety measures.
The minister briefed the envoy on projects such as speed-limit enforcement, rapid medical response, and air ambulance services. Todd praised Pakistan’s progress and assured continued UN support. The meeting was also attended by DG Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan Naseer and IG Motorways Police.
This story was originally published by Associated Press of Pakistan.