Pakistan and Iran have agreed to step up agricultural cooperation, with Tehran set to send a high-level delegation to Islamabad within two weeks to finalise arrangements for the export of Pakistani corn.
The decision was made during Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan’s meeting with Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh in Tehran. “This reflects our commitment to deepen agricultural linkages and implement the decisions of the Joint Committee on Agriculture Cooperation,” Jam Kamal said.
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Trade push towards $10b target
The development comes as Islamabad and Tehran intensify efforts to achieve the $10 billion bilateral trade target set by their leadership. Current trade between the two neighbours has reached $3 billion, supported mainly by rising exports of Pakistani rice and meat.
During recent engagements, both governments highlighted the role of barter trade, a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the operationalisation of border markets in unlocking further growth.
The agriculture pact also builds on outcomes of the 22nd Joint Economic Commission (JEC) session in Tehran earlier this week. Key areas of cooperation identified at the forum include enhancing electricity supply to Gwadar, expanding renewable energy projects, improving road, rail and maritime connectivity, and promoting cultural and educational exchanges.
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“We have a progressive approach, with consistent visits on both sides showing mutual trust,” Jam Kamal observed after the talks. His Iranian counterparts, meanwhile, underscored people-to-people linkages as central to building durable trade relations.
With the upcoming agricultural delegation visit and parallel work on broader economic frameworks, both governments are seeking to translate political goodwill into concrete outcomes across trade, energy and connectivity sectors.
