Commerce Desk
KARACHI, June 29, 2026: Mian Zahid Hussain, President PBIF & AKIA, Chairman NBG and FPCCI Policy Advisory Board, has termed Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan a significant step for bilateral ties, confidence-building and implementing the agreed economic agenda. He credited PM Shehbaz Sharif’s regional peace and connectivity push, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s role in border stability, for enhancing Pakistan’s strategic relevance.
Hussain said Pakistan-Iran’s historical, cultural and geographic proximity must now convert into economic partnership in trade, gas pipeline, energy, border connectivity and private-sector collaboration. He noted that during the 2025 visit, both sides signed 12 agreements/MoUs and set a $3 billion to $10 billion trade target. The recent Iran-US conflict has added fresh diplomatic weight to this roadmap, signalling intent to move beyond statements to action in trade, investment, energy, IT, agriculture and people-to-people links.
He stressed that finalizing a Free Trade Agreement is vital, but needs practical steps: removing non-tariff barriers, banking/payment alternatives, customs coordination, mutual standards recognition, easier visas and better logistics. Strengthening border markets at Gabd-Rimdan, Mand-Pishin and other points can curb smuggling and boost legal jobs. He welcomed FBR declaring Taftan Railway Station a land customs station to ease rail trade.
Hussain backed barter trade in rice, meat, agri-products and energy to bypass payment hurdles. He said Gwadar and Chabahar should complement, not compete, and urged a permanent joint working mechanism to implement the 22nd Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission decisions.
