Pakistan, Iran sign five MoUs to deepen media, cultural cooperation

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah addresses media in Islamabad, Pakistan on October 10, 2024. (APP/File)
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Updated 05 November 2025
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Pakistan, Iran sign five MoUs to deepen media, cultural cooperation

  • Tarar calls digital media ‘the way forward,’ hoping the accords will enhance collaboration in the field
  • Iranian envoy says the MoUs will promote media cooperation and open avenues for public diplomacy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday signed five agreements to strengthen cooperation in broadcasting, digital media and cultural exchange, according to a state media report, with officials describing the development as a step toward stronger ties through enhanced cultural understanding.

The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), inked between Iran’s state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), and several Pakistani media institutions, aim to boost collaboration in content production, training and regulatory practices.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar termed the visit of the Iranian media delegation “productive and inspiring,” saying the signing of MoUs reflected both governments’ resolve to strengthen people-to-people connections and promote shared values of peace.

“Digital media is the way forward,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency quoted him as saying, as he highlighted that “the new agreements with Iran focus on enhancing collaboration in this vital domain, allowing both countries to learn from each other’s experiences.”

According to official summaries, the MoUs between IRIB and Pakistani institutions — including Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Box Office (Pvt) Ltd, Sab TV Network, and VSH TV — cover areas such as broadcasting, training, content production and cultural exchange.

Under the IRIB-PTV MoU, both broadcasters will exchange television programs and co-produce news and cultural content.

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam thanked the government for its support, saying the new framework would “bring the people of Pakistan and Iran closer through enhanced cultural understanding and media exchange.”

“These agreements will not only promote cooperation between our media organizations but also pave the way for broader public diplomacy,” the ambassador said.


Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport

Updated 23 February 2026
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Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport

  • Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions in the informal sector are made without any taxes, officials say
  • The move comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports under which only digital service providers can provide services

KARACHI: Aik, Pakistan’s first Islamic digital bank, has enabled fully digital payments at Islamabad International Airport to offer travelers and passengers secure, Shariah compliant digital transaction facility.

The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports across the country, under which only digital service providers can provide services to customers.

Aik, a subsidiary of Bank Islami, said it has onboarded merchants across the Islamabad airport and integrated QR code deployments at key touchpoints to allow passengers and visitors to make secure, seamless, and Shariah-compliant digital transactions at all counters, retail outlets, and service points.

It said the implementation complies with the regulations and framework set by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and is a working model for a large-scale adoption of cashless systems in public infrastructure.

“This deployment reflects our commitment to building practical digital infrastructure that improves everyday transactions,” Aik Chief Officer Ashfaque Ahmed said in a statement.

“By enabling a fully cashless environment at a major national gateway, we are supporting efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion at scale. This is not only a project; it is a foundation for Pakistan’s cashless future.”

Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted in cash. Officials say many of these transactions are aimed at avoiding taxes.

In recent years, the SBP has taken steps to ensure a transition toward a more cashless economy so that transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption.

By digitizing Islamabad airport, aik said it continues to invest in secure and accessible financial solutions that “expand digital participation and support national economic modernization.”