Joint Statement between Pakistan and Iran at the Culmination of the Visit by the President of Iran

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, paid an official visit to Pakistan from 22-24 April 2024. The President of Iran was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister of Iran, H.E. Amir Abdollahian, as well as other members of the cabinet and senior officials.

H.E. President Raisi held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. During these talks, the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations and also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern. A number of MoUs/Agreements were also signed during the visit.

Both sides agreed to enhance mutual interaction through regular exchange of high-level visits to strengthen fraternal relations.

Highlighting the historical, cultural, religious and civilizational ties between the two neighboring and Muslim countries, the two sides reiterated their commitment and dedication to further strengthening these bonds through promotion of academic, cultural and tourism activities, and by enhancing tourism to historic religious sites in both countries.

Acknowledging that the Pakistan-Iran common border should be the ‘border of peace and friendship’, both sides reiterated the importance of forging regular cooperation and exchange of views between political, military and security officials of the two countries to combat threats such as terrorism, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, hostage-taking, money-laundering and abduction.

The two sides agreed to further expand trade and economic cooperation and affirmed their commitment to transform their common border from ‘border of peace’ to a ‘border of prosperity’ through joint development-oriented economic projects, including setting up of joint border markets, economic free zones, and new border openings.

They also reiterated the importance of cooperation in the energy domain, including trade in electricity, power transmission lines and IP Gas Pipeline Project.

The two leaders agreed to boost their bilateral trade to USD10 billion over the next five years. Both sides underscored the imperative of a long-term durable economic partnership and collaborative regional economic and connectivity model, particularly for socio-economic development in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan Province and Pakistan’s Balochistan Province.

President Raisi also visited Lahore and Karachi on 23-24 April 2024. In Lahore, the President Raisi paid homage to Allama Muhammad Iqbal and visited Iqbal mausoleum. In Karachi, President Raisi attended a wreath laying ceremony at Mazar-e-Quaid. He also addressed a widely attended meeting of business people from both sides in Karachi.

The President, in his address, encouraged the private sectors of both countries to develop closer contacts within the Framework of the Joint Business Council as well as through exchange of trade delegations and holding of trade exhibitions.

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the warm and generous hospitality extended to the Iranian delegation.

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also extended cordial invitations to the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to pay official visits to Iran.