Iran (IMNA) - Speaking to Mehr News Agency, Tarfa’a emphasized that transportation cooperation, both bilateral and transit, plays a crucial role in expanding economic exchanges. The rail link, one of the oldest connections between Iran and Pakistan, has been operational for years but now requires revitalization.
During recent negotiations, the three countries committed to establishing regular weekly rail traffic, which is expected to significantly develop the corridor. Tarfa’a stressed the importance of updating the railway lines, particularly the nearly century-old Zahedan to Mirjaveh route, which studies suggest needs reconstruction and modernization.
Though current rail transit volume is limited, there was an agreement last week to restore the Iran-Pakistan transit train service. At the joint commission meeting, discussions also focused on enhancing transit capacity from Pakistan to Turkey to improve efficiency, as most trade between Iran and Pakistan currently depends on road transport.
To support this growth, Iran and Pakistan agreed to expand the capacities of border terminals at Mirjaveh and Rimdan and to upgrade existing border infrastructure for faster, higher-capacity land traffic.
Highlighting future targets, Tarfa’a mentioned the 22nd Economic Cooperation Agreement between Iran and Pakistan, which aims to reach an annual trade volume of $10 billion. Achieving this would require 1,800 to 2,000 trucks to cross land borders daily and calls for major improvements in border infrastructure.
Tarfa’a also referred to the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and Pakistan, noting that most of the terms have been finalized. The two sides are reviewing annexes related to tariff exemptions on goods, expected to be completed before the 23rd Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission meeting, to facilitate the establishment of a free trade regime.
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