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5 clusters · 34 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated

Pakistan expands international trade partnerships

Overview

Since mid-July 2026, Pakistan has pursued deeper economic links with several neighbors. Agreements with Egypt and Iran target joint value chains in power, telecoms, finance, heavy machinery, agriculture, petrochemicals, and renewables, with the FPCCI estimating Iran-Pakistan trade could reach $10 billion annually within three to five years. A delegation led by Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari met Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical agency to discuss joint ventures and a 15% corporate-tax incentive, while memoranda with Kazakhstan aim to lift bilateral trade to about $1 billion in agriculture processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, energy, and transport, including port access via Karachi and Gwadar. Pakistan Customs joined the UNODC-WCO meeting in Tashkent, formalizing a digital customs link that shares advance data through the Pakistan Single Window and explores AI-driven risk tools.

Parallel talks with Iran renewed the $10 billion trade ambition, calling for a free-trade pact, logistics reforms, new customs stations, expanded rail corridors, and greater use of Karachi and Gwadar ports. On 4 August, the 10th Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee met in Islamabad, where commerce ministers Jam Kamal Khan and Mohammad Atabak signed a memorandum of understanding and accelerated free-trade-agreement negotiations. On 7 August, Pakistan's Energy Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam met to discuss a $4 billion bilateral trade goal and plans for a second cross-border electricity transmission line to supplement the existing 100MW supply, specifically to improve energy reliability in the Gwadar Port region.

By 11 August, business leaders from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized that achieving the $10 billion trade target with Iran requires practical reforms, including efficient customs, reliable transportation, and transparent payment mechanisms, rather than relying solely on formal agreements.

Entities

Pakistan · Iran · Republic of Uzbekistan · Gwadar Port · Reza Amiri Moghaddam

Timeline

  1. 10 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Pakistan business leaders urge structural reforms and regional trade expansion

    Pakistani business leaders are calling for structural reforms and improved regional connectivity, specifically highlighting the potential of a Free Trade Agreement with Iran to boost bilateral trade.

  2. 14 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Pakistan and Iran aim to expand energy ties and bilateral trade

    Pakistan and Iran have agreed to expand energy cooperation, including building a second electricity transmission line and increasing power supplies to support trade and the development of Gwadar Port.

  3. 17 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 13 sources
    Pakistan and Iran push $10 bn trade goal and deepen diplomatic ties

    Pakistan and Iran reaffirm a $10 bn annual trade target, accelerate a free‑trade pact, and boost diplomatic talks as Pakistan invites Iran’s foreign minister amid US‑Iran tensions.

  4. 28 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 13 sources
    Pakistan and Uzbekistan discuss pharmaceutical joint ventures

    Pakistani delegation meets Uzbek officials to discuss joint pharmaceutical ventures, citing a $2.5 bn market, tax incentives and manufacturing opportunities.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Pakistan Expands Trade Ties with Egypt and Iran

    Pakistan aims to boost trade with Egypt through joint value chains and exhibitions, while the FPCCI targets $10 bn annual trade with Iran, urging industrial ties and better banking and transport links.

Sources

amu.tv · arabnews.pk · aydinlik.com.tr · centreline.com.pk · cryptobriefing.com · customstoday.com.pk · dailynewsegypt.com · dailytimes.com.pk · diabetes.ufl.edu · digitalpakistan.pk · dtnext.in · economy.pk · ekoturk.com · en.dailypakistan.com.pk · en.trend.az · europesays.com · finanznachrichten.de · international.sindonews.com · ir.sputniknews.com · islamabadpost.com.pk · khaama.com · memesita.com · mycolumbuspower.com · news18.com · newscentralasia.net · siasat.com · spanish.almanar.com.lb · spnfa.ir · startuppakistan.com.pk · thefrontierpost.com · theshillongtimes.com · tradechronicle.com · trend.az · zambianobserver.com

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history