Iranian envoy calls for enhanced trade ties with Pakistan

QUETTA: The Iranian Consul General in Quetta, Ali Reza Rajaei, has expressed confidence that the government and people of Pakistan firmly stand with Iran against Israeli aggression.

He emphasised that establishing rail-based bilateral trade routes is a pressing need of the time and proposed the formation of a Crisis Management Cell to handle emergencies effectively.

Speaking to the office bearers and members of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday, the Consul General stressed the importance of proactive coordination between key stakeholders.

He proposed that the Crisis Management Cell should include representatives from the Quetta Chamber, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Customs, the Iranian Consulate, and the Zahidan Chamber of Commerce to ensure seamless handling of urgent situations.

Earlier, upon his arrival at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Consul General was warmly received by Chamber President Haji Muhammad Ayub Mariani and other officials.

During the meeting, the chamber’s leadership condemned Israeli aggression against Iran and expressed solidarity with the Iranian people, assuring them of the unwavering support of Balochistan’s business community and the general public during these testing times.

The Chamber President pledged that the Quetta Chamber would fully cooperate with relevant government departments, including Customs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the FIA, to ensure the timely and uninterrupted supply of essential goods to Iran.

He also stressed that in times of conflict, while border security remains the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, every possible facilitation should be provided for the delivery of essential commodities.

Highlighting Clause 17 of the Iran-Pakistan Joint Border Trade Agreement (JBTC), the Chamber President urged that border gates remain open 24 hours to maintain the continuous flow of trade.

The Iranian Consul General, while discussing the ongoing regional conflict, emphasised the critical need to ensure timely and unhindered supplies from Pakistan to Iran, particularly noting instances where trucks carrying rice and meat have been unnecessarily delayed, causing significant problems. He expressed strong belief in Pakistan’s support for Iran in the face of Israeli aggression.

The Consul General also proposed developing rail-based trade routes and welcomed the Chamber President’s suggestion to initiate a daily train service from Zahidan to Taftan capable of transporting 20 to 25 containers per day.