TEHRAN: Pakistan and Iran have kicked off a major new chapter in their economic partnership, unveiling 17 trade protocols and launching initiatives designed to lift annual bilateral trade toward a USD 10 billion target. The announcements were made at the Pak–Iran Business Forum 2025, held alongside the 22nd session of the Pakistan–Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in Tehran.
The protocols under negotiation cover banking facilitation, logistics, shipping, aviation, free zones, high-value manufacturing, agriculture, and investment promotion. Officials confirmed that special attention is being given to customs and tariff coordination to remove barriers that have long hampered bilateral trade.
One of the most immediate developments is the operationalization of border markets, including the Manpashin and Gavdar-e-Indan joint markets. These projects are expected to boost livelihoods in border areas while providing new channels for legal trade flows.
Pakistan also presented its new five-year transformation plan, “URAN Pakistan,” which prioritizes foreign direct investment in energy, minerals, agriculture, IT, and manufacturing. The initiative aims to attract regional investors, including Iranian firms, to tap into Pakistan’s evolving industrial and services sectors.
Iran welcomed the momentum, pointing out that trade volumes crossed USD 3.1 billion last year and expressing confidence that the USD 10 billion milestone is achievable. Iranian leaders highlighted joint investment opportunities in pharmaceuticals, ceramics, engineered goods, and other high-value industries, positioning both countries to benefit from shared supply chains and enhanced competitiveness.
The forum also confirmed that the 23rd session of the Joint Economic Commission will be held in Pakistan in the near future to ensure follow-up on commitments made in Tehran. Officials from both sides described the gathering as the largest-ever trade forum between the two nations, signaling a “decisive shift from goodwill to action.”
With shared natural resources, geographic proximity, and centuries-old cultural and commercial links, the two neighbors are banking on stronger connectivity, operational border markets, and sector-specific investments to drive sustained growth. Analysts described the developments as a potential turning point for Pakistan–Iran relations, with both sides keen to move beyond rhetoric and deliver measurable outcomes.
