Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Session Strengthens Ties Across Trade, Energy, and Culture
ISLAMABAD – A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, met with their Iranian counterparts, headed by Minister for Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeq, to hold a Joint Economic Commission (JEC) session aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation.
The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, transport, housing, health, education, and cultural exchanges. At the conclusion of the session, both ministers signed protocols formalizing agreements on various initiatives.
Technical discussions were steered by Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Dr. Amin Taraffo, Senior Advisor to the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development. The teams held detailed deliberations on multiple fronts and finalized a draft protocol to guide future cooperation.
A major outcome of the JEC was the reaffirmation of the $10 billion bilateral trade target. Both sides emphasized the need to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers, operationalize border markets, and promote regular business-to-business meetings to strengthen commercial ties.
In energy and infrastructure, the two countries agreed to boost electricity exchanges, resume construction of a 220 KV transmission line to Gwadar, and explore renewable energy projects. A Joint Working Group will facilitate investment in the power sector, while cooperation in water management and sustainable urban development was also highlighted.
Agriculture and environmental collaboration received equal attention, with commitments to work together on veterinary health, pest control, seed development, and tackling climate challenges such as sandstorms and mangrove degradation.
Transport and connectivity were prioritized through agreements to enhance road, rail, air, and maritime links. Cultural and educational ties are set to deepen via cultural festivals, media collaborations, academic partnerships, student exchanges, and vocational training programs.
The health sector will see joint initiatives on professional training, pharmaceutical registration, and cross-border disease surveillance. Additionally, a Joint Committee on Labour Cooperation will facilitate worker mobility in sectors including construction, textiles, and agriculture.
On the sidelines of the JEC, a Joint Business Forum was held on September 15, 2025, bringing together leading business figures from both countries to explore new investment opportunities.
In their closing remarks, both ministers expressed satisfaction with the outcomes and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation. Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed optimism that the progress achieved would pave the way for deeper collaboration and looked forward to hosting the 23rd JEC session in Islamabad.
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