FM Zarif: Iran seeking free trade with Pakistan

Upon arrival at Benazir Bhutto International Airport, he told reporters that Pskistan is a very close neighbor to Iran and Tehran has special relations with Islamabad.

“During the visit, good dialogues held between the two countries’ political and military officials will be pursued,” he said.

Commenting on his trip’s agenda, he hoped that he would have good meetings in Islamabad and Karachi.

“We will have different political meetings in Islamabad and one economic forum in Karachi,” he said, hoping that Iran’s private sector would further know its partners and bolster transactions.

Referring to remarkable increase in the two countries’ trade exchanges in recent years, Zarif said, “We have still numerous capacities in the field.”

Zarif also hailed Iran-Pakistan political relations, hoping that the visits would help further develop bilateral relations.

Zarif heading a politico-economic delegation is on a three-day official visit to the country on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Khwaja Asif.

During his stay in Islamabad, Zarif is slated to discuss bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest with the Pakistani top-ranking officials including prime minister, interior minister, parliament speaker and army commander.

Preparing necessary grounds for promotion of economic and commercial relations, especially between the two countries’ private sectors, has been mentioned among the objectives behind Zarif’s trip to the neighboring state.

Exploring ways of expanding economic and trade relations between Tehran and Islamabad, especially between the private sectors in the two neighboring nations, would also be on the agenda.
A 30-member business delegation comprising representatives of economic, trade and business sectors is accompanying Iran's top diplomat during his stay in Pakistan.

This is Zarif’s seventh visit to Pakistan since he became the 11th government’s foreign minister in 2013.
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