Pakistan Eyeing to Widen Trade Ties with Iran

"Economic and trade policies are being formulated to ensure development of agriculture and industrial sectors in the country, aiming at provide maximum job opportunities for the youth," Umar said.

Umar said that Balochistan is the largest province of the country where central and provincial governments would work together for uplifting the agriculture sector.

"There are vast opportunities for investment in Balochistan and rest of the country in agriculture, minerals and Halal food in accordance with international demands," he added.

He said this while talking to members of Balochistan Chamber of Commerce regarding difficulties in trade issues during a meeting in south western city of Quetta.

Asad Umar further said directive was issued for the completion of a report within 30 days to promote trade activities between Iran and Pakistan.

The minister added economic and trade policies are being formulated to ensure development of agriculture and industrial sectors in the country, aiming to provide maximum job opportunities to the youth.

Asad Umar said Balochistan is the largest province of the country where central and provincial governments would work together for uplifting the agriculture sector.

He said there are vast opportunities of investment in Balochistan and rest of the country in agriculture, minerals and Halal food as per international demands.

Federal Minister said the next phase under China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be the establishment of industries and the government would try to ensure the inclusion of chambers of commerce in that phase.

The finance minister said there should be elimination of double standard in international trade, adding we would try to build strong trade relations with all the countries of the region including Iran.

Asad said the government wanted to establish such a system in the country where all the complications being faced by the business community could be eliminated and they could be facilitated more.

He said the government was introducing a comprehensive plan to end smuggling which would improve the security situation in respective areas of the state. Smuggling would end after installation of fence at Pak-Afghan border, he added.

In a relevant development earlier on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in a meeting in Tehran, exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments and called for joint efforts to boost stability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif and his Pakistani counterpart Qureshi, in their Monday meeting in Tehran, stressed the importance of making joint efforts to boost stability, security and constructive cooperation in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.

The visit by Qureshi and his accompanying delegation toTehran is part of the government's policy of outreach in the neighborhood, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Monday.

It added that the Iranian and Pakistani foreign ministers held "detailed" talks on "strengthening the already close bilateral relations rooted in common history, culture and people-to-people ties" and reaffirmed the necessity to increase cooperation.

"The (Pakistani) Foreign Minister elaborated that Prime Minister Imran Khan envisions strengthening ties with Iran in diverse fields with emphasis on expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation and development," the statement said.

According to the statement, Zarif reaffirmed Iran's commitment to deepen relations with Pakistan in trade, investment, connectivity and border management.