KARACHI: Pakistan will not be signing a free trade agreement with Iran during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit on April 21, his adviser on commerce said on Thursday, as Tehran tries to expand its influence and commercial ties to friendly countries to help offset renewed US sanctions.
This is Khan’s first visit to Iran since he took over power last year. The trip will last two days and include a brief stopover in Mashhad before the prime minister goes onwards to Tehran for bilateral talks with Iranian leaders, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Rouhani.
“No Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be signed during the visit,” Abdul Razak Dawood, the prime minister’s adviser on commerce. “There will be no discussion on FTA,” he added, saying talks on starting barter trade with Iran would be part of general discussions.
Despite being close neighbors, Pakistan and Iran have failed to enhance bilateral trade volume beyond $400 million in the last five years, mainly due to sanctions imposed on Tehran by Washington.
Pakistan’s business leaders have repeatedly called for a system of barter trade with Iran to help bypass US sanctions.
“Pakistan and Iran should open barter trade to avoid US sanctions,” Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Senior Vice Federation of the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told Arab News. “Banking networking approval has been granted by both countries and it should be finalized which banks will be allowed to open branches in Iran and Pakistan.”
“We have lost major trade volumes due to lack of barter trade and absence of banking channels,” Baig said.
Ties between Pakistan and Iran suffered a serious blow in February after Iran said a Pakistani had carried out a suicide bombing that killed 27 members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards near the border with Pakistan.
Iran has repeatedly blamed Pakistan for sheltering militants connected with attacks in the border area, although February’s remarks were the first time Tehran has said Pakistani citizens were directly involved in the attack. Pakistan vehemently denies all charges.
Pakistan says no free trade agreement with Iran during PM’s visit
Pakistan says no free trade agreement with Iran during PM’s visit
- Khan will visit Iran for two days on April 21 on his maiden trip to the country
- PM’s adviser on commerce says Khan will discuss launching barter trade system with Iran to bypass US sanctions
India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott
- Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka
- India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match
MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.
“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.
Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.
India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.
“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.
If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.
“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”
India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.
Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.
“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.
