Jam Kamal Khan calls for “new chapter of shared prosperity” at Pak–Iran Business Forum 2025

TEHRAN: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, has pledged to usher in a “new chapter of shared prosperity” between Pakistan and Iran. He made the remarks while addressing the Pak–Iran Business Forum 2025, held on the sidelines of the 22nd session of the Pakistan–Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in Tehran.
Speaking to a packed audience of Iranian and Pakistani business leaders, officials and diplomats, Khan said the forum, organized for the first time on such a scale in Tehran, reflects the determination of both nations to turn their longstanding friendship into concrete economic results.
He expressed gratitude to the Government of Iran, Minister for Road and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh, and the Iranian Trade Promotion Organization for their hospitality and arrangements. Khan said Pakistan’s economic partnership with Iran must be as strong and enduring as the cultural, religious and historical ties that have connected the two nations for centuries.
The Commerce Minister outlined a series of initiatives aimed at transforming bilateral trade. These include the negotiation of 17 new protocols covering banking facilitation, logistics, shipping, aviation, free zones, high-end manufacturing, agriculture and investment promotion. He highlighted the operationalization of border markets and special economic zones, including the Manpashin joint market and Gavdar-e-Indan markets, which are expected to improve livelihoods in border areas.
Khan said Pakistan’s new five-year economic transformation plan, URAN Pakistan, will expand foreign direct investment in energy, minerals, agriculture and manufacturing. He stressed that Pakistani and Iranian technical teams are working closely to resolve long-standing challenges related to customs, tariffs and regulatory barriers.
Khan reaffirmed that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has placed the “highest strategic priority” on trade and connectivity with Iran. He added that Pakistan’s economy is stabilizing, industrial output is improving and foreign investment interest is rising. The Minister invited Iranian companies to participate in Pakistan’s Agriculture Expo in November 2025, calling it an opportunity to explore manufacturing hubs, build partnerships and access new markets.
Looking ahead, Khan announced plans to host the 23rd session of the Joint Economic Commission in Pakistan soon to ensure that agreements signed in Tehran are implemented effectively. He said the time had come to make the Pakistan–Iran economic partnership “legendary and prosperous.”
In her address at the forum, Iran’s Minister for Road and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, extended condolences to the people of Pakistan over the loss of lives caused by recent floods. She praised the rise in bilateral trade, which crossed USD 3.1 billion last year, and expressed confidence that the two countries are on track to achieve the USD 10 billion trade target.
Sadegh called for leveraging comparative advantages to strengthen supply chains and competitiveness. She also highlighted Iran’s interest in joint investment projects in pharmaceuticals, engineered goods, ceramics and other high-value sectors.
Concluding the session, Jam Kamal Khan underscored the shared potential of the two neighbouring nations, saying that with their natural resources, talented people, common border and centuries-old trade corridor, Pakistan and Iran are ready to overcome challenges and compete globally together. —Internews
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Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal urges PIDE scholars to shape Pakistan’s future through research and policy
ISLAMABAD, Sept 16 (Internews): Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) held its Orientation Day 2025, welcoming a new cohort of MPhil and PhD scholars to its Islamabad campus. The event featured orientation sessions, book exhibitions, documentary screenings, and interactive sessions to familiarize students with academic rules and research expectations.
Delivering the keynote address, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Chancellor of PIDE, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, emphasized that joining PIDE represents not only the start of an academic journey but also an opportunity to contribute to Pakistan’s development through research, innovation, and policy engagement. He highlighted that PIDE uniquely combines teaching with applied research, giving students exposure to real-world policymaking as part of a government think tank.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal expressed pride in the institute’s growth, noting that Pakistan once led the region through plans like Vision 2010 and Vision 2025 but lost momentum due to political instability and inconsistent policies. He said the country now stands at a “fourth flight” in its development journey, where sustained progress requires policy stability and collective effort.
Outlining the government’s URAAN Pakistan Program, he said the plan rests on five pillars: export-led growth to boost foreign exchange, technological transformation through digitalization and biotechnology, climate and environmental resilience, energy and infrastructure reform, and equity and empowerment through stronger education, health, and social protections. He urged scholars to contribute to these priorities through rigorous research and innovative solutions.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal shared three guiding principles for the scholars: excellence, relevance, and resilience. He encouraged students to embrace curiosity, challenge assumptions, and commit to nation-building, describing them as the next generation of researchers and policymakers who will help Pakistan achieve stability, prosperity, and equity.
The orientation concluded with refreshments, allowing students, faculty, and guests to interact informally. PIDE reaffirmed its mission to nurture thought leaders, foster innovation, and provide evidence-based solutions to Pakistan’s socio-economic challenges.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor Dr. Nadeem Javaid congratulated the scholars for securing admission through a competitive process, with 110 candidates selected from over 600 applications. He highlighted structural reforms at PIDE, including new PhD programs in Governance & Public Policy and Development Studies, the establishment of eight specialized research centers, and the introduction of three-year rolling research plans aligning faculty work with national research priorities.
Dr. Javaid also noted the launch of the Executive Development Center and programs like the Work Study Program, under which PhD scholars gain practical experience in government ministries while receiving a monthly stipend. He emphasized that these initiatives aim to create an inclusive, research-driven environment that strengthens PIDE’s role as Pakistan’s premier policy think tank.
Dr. Karim Khan, Dean Academics, outlined PIDE’s institutional journey and noted that alumni now hold leading positions in the State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance, and other key policy institutions. —Internews
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Initial flood loss estimates to be ready in 10 days: Planning Minister
ISLAMABAD, Sept 16 (Internews): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee in Islamabad to review the preliminary estimates of losses caused by the 2025 floods.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change, and chief secretaries of provincial governments.
Provincial representatives informed the forum that final estimates of flood damages would only be possible once water levels recede. Ahsan Iqbal directed that the damage assessment must be prepared in close coordination with provincial governments. He announced that an initial assessment would be completed within ten days.
The Minister urged the media to avoid speculation over flood damages, assuring that accurate figures would soon be released. He emphasized that relief and rehabilitation work is already under way in the affected areas, with federal and provincial institutions working together to provide assistance.
Ahsan Iqbal recalled that, as in 2022, post-disaster assessments this year will also involve international organizations to ensure transparency and credibility. He said relief measures will be based on accurate and verifiable data, ensuring that support reaches those in need.
Highlighting the broader challenge, Ahsan Iqbal stressed that climate change is one of the greatest threats facing Pakistan. He said floods and droughts are direct consequences of climate change, pointing out that Pakistan’s glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, increasing the risk of future flooding.
The Minister criticized India for politicizing the natural disaster instead of cooperating during a humanitarian crisis. He confirmed that Pakistan is working on a comprehensive national plan to tackle the growing risks of climate change and its impact on lives and livelihoods.