The Minister of State for National Food Security and Research, Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan, hosted a high-level Iranian delegation led by Dr. Akbar Fathi, Deputy Minister for Planning and Economy of the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, and Mr. Seyed Saeed Rad, Deputy Minister and Managing Director of the State Trading Company of Iran (GTC). The two-day visit brought senior officials and technical experts together to advance agricultural and trade cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
Discussions confirmed a mutual commitment to deepen Pak Iran agriculture ties with a strong focus on enhancing exports of rice, maize and red meat from Pakistan to Iran. Iranian officials expressed keen interest in importing up to 1 million tonnes of Pakistani corn and expanding rice purchases, signalling significant short- and medium-term demand that could boost Pakistan’s export earnings.
Technical teams from both sides will collaborate on livestock health, quarantine procedures and plant protection mechanisms to facilitate smoother cross-border trade. Both governments welcomed the signing of the Animal Quarantine and Plant Protection Agreements, a procedural step expected to reduce barriers and speed up shipments under agreed sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
Pakistan underlined its robust production base in maize, potatoes, corn and rice and highlighted capacity to meet large-scale orders. The meeting stressed the role of business-to-business engagement and private sector partnerships in converting government-level agreements into tangible trade flows, investment and joint ventures that benefit farmers and agribusinesses on both sides.
Officials noted that strengthened cooperation with the GTC and other Iranian agencies would not only expand commercial ties but also reinforce historical and cultural relations. The visit sought to inject fresh momentum into bilateral trade through practical measures, regulatory alignment and increased private sector participation to ensure sustainable agricultural cooperation moving forward.
