Mohsin Naqvi to Advise PM on Ministers’ Performance

Mohsin Naqvi is set to advise Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on reviewing the performance of ministers.

Pakistan and Iran have agreed to keep border crossing points open round-the-clock to expand border trade and remove hurdles in cross-border commerce. This understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a six-member Iranian delegation led by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Seyed Mohammad Atabak. Both countries also agreed to enhance facilities at border points, improve logistics arrangements, and strengthen coordination between customs authorities to make trade flows smoother and more efficient.

Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, on Wednesday held a comprehensive meeting with a high-level Iranian business delegation to discuss strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic collaboration. The Iranian delegation proposed the development of a strategic trade corridor linking Karachi, Rimdan, Bam, and potentially extending to Chabahar, suggesting a joint investment venture for this route. They also noted that Pakistan’s exports to Iran have increased for the first time in history.

At the 10th meeting of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee (JTC), both sides signed agreed minutes to expedite the finalization of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), making progress on rules of origin and tariff-reduction modalities. They also agreed to expedite the operationalization of the Cheedgi–Kohak border market and strengthen business-to-business (B2B) linkages. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan stated these measures would transform bilateral relations.

During a recent meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei and President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian. In response, the head of the Iranian delegation, Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Seyyed Mohammad Atabak, expressed gratitude to Pakistan for the warm reception and hospitality extended to his delegation. He also commended Pakistan’s leadership and people for their diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and for expressing solidarity with Iran.

Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance cooperation in the mining sector, specifically focusing on the processing and value addition of precious stones. This development emerged from a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a six-member Iranian delegation led by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Seyyed Mohammad Atabak. Technical-level negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries are also currently underway.