Pakistan Iran trade and economic cooperation, new dimension

Pakistan and Iran have agreed to increase the volume of bilateral trade to 10 billion US dollars in the next five years. Memorandums of understanding have been signed in 8 sectors between the two countries.

On the other hand, Chief of Pakistan Army General Asim Munir met President of Islamic Republic of Iran Ibrahim Raisi, issues of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting. Regional peace, stability and border security situation were discussed in the meeting.

Undoubtedly, the visit of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi to Pakistan has opened a new chapter in the relations between the two countries. There is a need to adopt a serious and far-reaching strategy to make the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran stable and long-lasting. was being felt, and in this regard, it was necessary to increase the interaction of the rulers of the two countries at a high level. The current government has taken far-reaching measures, realizing the importance and usefulness of this matter.

Pakistan and Iran have common religious, historical and cultural ties, the cooperation of both countries is essential in the fight against terrorism, they will work together to eliminate terrorism, organized crime and drugs. Friendship between Saudi Arabia and Iran Good effects are also being set on Pakistan. Now after a long time between Pakistan and Iran, the same warmth that was once a feature of Pakistan-Iran relations has started to be seen again.

An important lesson of history is this and the principle is that a country can change everything, the neighbor cannot change because the neighbor is related to geographical facts which are irrevocable and cannot be tampered with. When we say or write that both Neighboring countries are linked in historical and cultural relations, so we refer to the four thousand years of history of Iran and the relations of Persian kings, tourists and traders with the subcontinent of Pakistan.

Iran is our neighboring Islamic brother country which first recognized Pakistan and gave full support to Pakistan in the war of 1965. Even today the memory of the RCD highway established between Pakistan Iran and Turkey is fresh in many hearts. When transport from Karachi to Tehran and Istanbul used to flow on this road. Apart from our land border with Iran, there is also a sea border.

From this point of view, there are numerous opportunities and ways to increase political, socio-economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries. At present trade activities are going on between the two countries through road and train through Taftan, if other border points are also opened and Chabahar and Gwadar trade points are also established through sea route, then there will be a lot of good between the two countries. Business avenues may open up.

Last year, the President of Iran, Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, together with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, inaugurated the border market at Ridig Pashin in Balochistan to promote trade between the two countries in a legal manner and to control smuggling. Due to this, both the countries lose billions of rupees. Along with this, a 100 MW electricity transmission line from Iran, Bolan Gabad, was also inaugurated, which will provide electricity to the border area and Panjgur Gwadar. If markets are established, both countries can benefit.

At this time, both countries have expressed their determination to increase the volume of this trade to ten billion dollars. There are dozens of places on this long border strip from where thousands of liters of petrol are smuggled to Pakistan every day. Iran has completed the work of supplying gas from Iran by laying a gas pipeline between the two countries for a long time. Now the penalty sword is hanging on Pakistan. To avoid this he must complete the task quickly.

Pakistan can get gas from Iran at cheaper rates by completing the gas pipeline. There is a need to establish trade centers at important places on the Pakistan-Iran border to increase the mutual relations and trade relations between the two countries. However, being a nearby country, we can save billions of rupees in terms of transportation costs by getting Iranian oil and gas. Commercialization can be done. This could usher in a new era of growth and prosperity in the region.

China also wants to take CPEC to Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey in the same way, thanks to which the chapter of industrial and commercial activities can be opened in Pakistan. Although there are many obstacles in the way of doing all this, there are many issues and problems, including the conflict between the US and Iran, which may affect Pakistan-Iran trade relations. The United States and its allied countries have been playing tricks with Russia and China. Can do arbitrary actions.

Currently, Russia, China and Iran are the countries in the region that are making their own policies despite the American pressure. Baloch tribes live on both sides of Pak-Iran border. which have been linked to each other for centuries. This region is called Baluchistan in Pakistan and Sistan in Iran. On this border strip, if besides Taftan, Reg Malik, Qila Ladgasht Kohak and Gwadar on the sea coast, border markets are also built in Jeon and Peshukan, which are closer to the Iranian sea border than Gwadar, then the illegal business of smuggling will increase. Control can be achieved and multi-billion dollar trades can be made legally.

This is what our enemies are worried about and they are using terrorists to worsen the situation. Pakistan’s borders with Afghanistan are already unsecured. In this background, Iran is one such country that provides us with a highly protected strategic depth. Now that Pakistan has decided to revisit its foreign policy, in the case of Iran, it is necessary to take steps keeping the greater national interest in mind, because in foreign relations neither an enemy is permanent nor a friend. Permanent status is obtained.

In these relations, only the national interest has a permanent status. We also have to take care of the fact that we want the Balochistan coastline and Gwadar port to be the future economic hub of Pakistan. Therefore, we need Iran’s cooperation and a peaceful border. Iran also wants the development of Sistan-Baluchistan and Pakistan wants its own Balochistan. This point not only fulfills the diplomatic principle of coexistence for both countries, but will also lead to far-reaching economic development and great prosperity for both countries.

It is easier and cheaper to get energy (petrol, gas and electricity) for Gwadar and its adjoining areas from Iran, while it is more expensive and difficult to get this energy from other parts of Pakistan or to develop new sources. Federal Government has a very good relationship with Balochistan Government, it should be maintained and it should be increased because investors would prefer to invest in a country where they are benefiting and getting better returns. and other investors also turn to this country.

Gwadar will become the focal point of Pakistan which will benefit Pakistan and especially Balochistan. The present government has decided to start one window operation for foreign investors. Our biggest problem is that our exports have not increased in the past and there is no focus on increasing exports, when exports do not increase, increasing pressure on rupee will create problems in the form of current account deficit.

It is important to attract investors to invest in places like Special Economic Zones and North Free Zone to increase the country’s income and eliminate macroeconomic imbalances. Many Iranian products are cheaper than Pakistani products. Pak-Iran trade is beneficial to Pakistani people from all sides. Cheap oil and cheap gas from Iran will reduce inflation in Pakistan.