KARACHI: Pakistan’s commerce ministry announced on Monday that it would host an Iranian delegation for the 10th Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting on August 4, saying both sides aim to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Pakistan and Iran signed agreements last year across various fields and economic sectors to take their bilateral trade to $10 billion. Both countries have attempted to forge closer economic and investment ties through border markets and trade links in recent years.
Instability and frequent militant attacks at Pakistan and Iran’s shared, porous border has limited trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
“The Ministry of Commerce will host the 10th Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting on August 4, 2026, in Islamabad to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries,” the Pakistani commerce ministry said in a statement.
It added that the meeting will be co-chaired by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Minister for Industry, Mine and Trade v. Senior officials from both sides will also participate, the ministry said.
A 22-member high-level Iranian delegation, along with a 16-member business delegation led by the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) will attend the meeting, it said.
“The business delegation represents key sectors including food, agribusiness, logistics, shipping, transportation, energy and manufacturing, providing an opportunity to enhance private-sector engagement and business linkages,” the statement said.
The commerce ministry said the meeting will review progress on bilateral trade initiatives and discuss measures to advance the Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA), facilitate cross-border trade, strengthen customs and banking cooperation.
The meeting will also explore ways to improve transport and transit connectivity, and expand investment and commercial collaboration.
The JTC meeting takes place as both countries grow closer, with Pakistan engaged in attempts to broker peace between Iran and the United States (US) since their conflict began in February this year.
Islamabad hosted the first round of talks between the two countries in April and helped mediate an interim peace agreement between them in June. Pakistan is in touch with the leaderships of both countries in attempt to broker peace again after fighting resumed last month.
