ISLAMABAD: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and discussing regional security, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Momeni at the airport, where Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry were also present to receive the visiting delegation.
Momeni is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes the governor-general of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, the deputy interior minister, the deputy minister for urban development and transport, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the special representative of Iran’s agriculture minister and other senior officials.
Speaking to the media upon his arrival in Pakistan, Momeni said the primary objective of his visit to Pakistan was to further strengthen relations between the two neighbouring countries and advance cooperation in key areas.
He said that both sides had previously agreed to increase bilateral trade to an initial target of $10 billion.
He noted that the current volume of trade between Pakistan and Iran stood at around $3 billion and stressed that achieving the agreed target would require the development of appropriate facilities and infrastructure on both sides of the border.
According to the Iranian minister, reaching trade target would require the movement of around 2,000 trucks daily or an equivalent level of commercial activity. However, he said only about 20% of the required trade movement was currently taking place.
He said regional cooperation and the prevailing situation in the region would also feature prominently in discussions during his visit.
Later, the Iranian minister held talks with Naqvi in Islamabad, where both sides reviewed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Momeni described Pakistan-Iran ties as exemplary and thanked the Pakistani government and people for their hospitality.
Naqvi expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen cooperation between the neighboring countries and voiced hope for positive developments on regional issues.
He said Pakistan looked forward to expanding bilateral engagement and supporting efforts to ease regional tensions.
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During his visit, Momeni is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces.
