Pakistan’s Ambassador calls for signing FTA with Iran

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu emphasised the need to sign Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Iran and has asked to improve border facilities and enhance business engagement.

He was addressing a seminar titled “Pakistan- Iran Ties: Prospects for Trade and Connectivity” under the auspices of the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Iranian Embassy. Ambassador Tipu, who was addressing the gathering virtually from Tehran, highlighted the growing trade potential between Pakistan and Iran in agriculture and infrastructure development.

Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri-Moghaddam reminded that trade and connectivity are key to economic growth, stressing the need for investment in transit corridors. He called for removing bureaucratic barriers, enhancing transport infrastructure, and deepening cooperation. The ambassador also spoke on the opening of border crossings, the establishment of border sustenance markets, new targets for bilateral trade, and feasible options for connectivity between Iran and Pakistan.

Former foreign secretary and DG ISSI ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the need to leverage geographical proximity into building a durable economic partnership.