Interior Minister of Iran Ahmad Vahidi held a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Prime Minister's Palace in Islamabad, in light of the need of two countries to develop mutual economic cooperation supported by well-built political and security bilateral relations.

Iranian envoy Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini and several Pakistani officials attended the meeting, which focused on the facilitation of trade at the common borders.

Following the meeting, Vahidi said the two countries have "deep and wide-ranging relations" and should advance their economic cooperation, through new border crossings and border markets, as per the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Vahidi noted that using the railway between Iran and Pakistan helps the latter access Turkey and Europe through the Iranian railway system, which is a common beneficial strategy.

Imran Khan emphasized the importance of boosting the security of the borders between the two countries.

Received His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Vahidi, Interior Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran as he reached #Pakistan on a day visit.
Matters of mutual Interest would the discussed at the delegation level meetings between Pakistan and Iran Interior ministries.@IRIMFA_EN pic.twitter.com/vUfK3XwckD

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) February 14, 2022

He also touched on the events in Afghanistan, saying that the military solution has never been a way to deal with issues in Afghanistan, stressing that the international community must interfere to spare Afghanistan a severe humanitarian and economic crisis.

Vahidi arrived in Islamabad on Monday and held talks with the Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The Iranian minister also met with his Pakistani counterpart, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad.

It is worth mentioning that this is Vahidi's first visit to Pakistan as Iran's Interior Minister.

Iran: Volume of Trade Exchange with Afghanistan, Pakistan will Rise to $5B

The Iranian Executive Director of Iranian Free and Economic Zones, Saeed Mohammad, revealed in November that the volume of trade exchange between Iran on one side and Afghanistan and Pakistan on the other is expected to rise to $5 billion.

Mohammad announced, in a press statement, that the volume of trade exchange between Iran and these two countries currently stands at $1.5 billion, with intentions to raise it to $5 billion.

He pointed out that increasing the volume of trade exchange with eastern countries is a goal for Iran, noting that the Supreme Council of Iranian Free and Economic Zones is preparing an action plan to start free economic activities in the Sistan region in southeast Iran.

Mohammad added that infrastructures such as Zabul Airport and the new railway line between Chabahar and Zahedan, which is connected to the Milk border port, provide an appropriate opportunity for the development of commercial activities in this region.

He referred to the new city of Ramshar as the appropriate place to construct a free trade zone and the development of commercial activities with Afghanistan.