ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Pakistan desires to increase bilateral trade with Iran to $5 billion by 2021 during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday.

Zarif met with the Prime Minister and the two leaders discussed efforts for strengthening bilateral relations and issues related to peace and security in the region, said a press release.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to enhance mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Iran including bilateral trade, investments and commercial interaction.

He added that in order to meet the bilateral trade target of $5 billion by 2021, the two sides should work together in all earnest.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to deepen connectivity to harness benefits from regional economic integration.

He expressed his commitment to work to resolve the issues in implementation of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project including the financing of pipeline infrastructure and the scope of snap back clause.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan was working towards realizing our vision of a peaceful and inter-connected region for shared progress and prosperity. We believe that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is vital for economic progress of the region and Pakistan and Iran as the two neighbouring countries can make important contribution for achieving this objective. He also thanked the Iranian leadership for their steadfast support to the principled struggle of Kashmiris.

The Iranian foreign minister appreciated the increasing high-level interaction between the two countries. He said the mutual efforts of the two countries have resulted into enhanced economic and people-to-people interaction, which should be further strengthened. Dr Javad Zarif also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for strengthening border management to prevent illegal cross border activities.

Dr Javad Zarif is visiting Pakistan from March 11-13, for bilateral consultations with the foreign minister. During this visit, he is also having interaction with relevant Ministers and senior civil and military officials.—PR