Pakistani envoy sees bright future of trade ties with Iran

Pakistan Ambassador to Iran says the future of trade and economic relationship between Iran and Pakistan is ‘very bright’, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Asif Ali Khan Durrani said, ‘We should have formal trade relationship; both sides need to facilitate and prepare the grounds for businessmen of the two sides so that bilateral trade can flourish.’

The current trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is quite low but both sides have intended to boost bilateral trade level between the two neighboring nations to at least five billion US dollars annually.

Asif Ali Khan Durrani said, ‘Economies of both Iran and Pakistan are complementary to each other and two neighboring countries can easily fulfill needs of each other. So, future of bilateral trade ties is very bright.

“We need energy from Iran and Iran needs some Pakistani commodities like some agricultural products.’

Pakistani ambassador noted that there are certain Pakistani fruits which are very much in demand in Iran and even if there are restrictions imposed on them, they are being smuggled into Iran and similarly there is problem of oil products that is smuggled into Pakistan; so there is a need that both countries should develop formal trade relationship to prevent smugglings.

“Nowadays we are getting good news every day and the trade between the two countries will grow forward,” he said.

Pakistani diplomat said Iran and Pakistan are working for direct flights between the capitals of two countries and ‘I will be first one to say thank you if there are more flights.’