Pakistan, Iran JTC meeting to focus on FTA

August 04, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Iran are set to take forward talks on advancing their bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), along with measures to facilitate cross-border trade, strengthen customs and banking cooperation, improve transport and transit connectivity, and expand investment and commercial collaboration.

The two countries are to convene the 10th Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting in Islamabad today, said a press release issued.

Last year, Pakistan had reaffirmed its commitment to deepening economic ties with Iran by the finalization of the long-awaited Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and setting a $10 billion bilateral trade target by 2028.

The Ministry of Commerce is hosting the meeting with the broader aim of deepening bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Minister for Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak, with Special Secretary Commerce Syed Hamid Ali and senior officials from both sides also in attendance.

A 22-member high-level Iranian official delegation will take part, alongside a 16-member business delegation led by the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA).

The business delegation spans key sectors including food, agribusiness, logistics, shipping, transportation, energy and manufacturing, offering scope for deeper private-sector engagement and business linkages between the two countries.

The JTC session is expected to review progress on existing bilateral trade initiatives besides the FTA discussions, with officials from both sides looking to build on the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran to deepen their economic partnership, enhance regional connectivity, and open up new avenues for trade and investment.

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