Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to close ties with Iran and said Islamabad would continue diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

PM Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting with a six-member Iranian delegation led by Industry, Mines and Trade Minister Seyyed Mohammad Atabak.

The prime minister said he had recently held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on promoting lasting regional peace and expanding bilateral relations, particularly trade.

He expressed optimism that the two countries could achieve their bilateral trade target of $10 billion, set by their leadership, and said expanding trade in food, agricultural commodities and related products would benefit both economies.

Both sides agreed to boost cross-border trade by improving border facilities to enable 24-hour operations, strengthening logistics infrastructure and harmonising customs procedures, according to the statement.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in the processing and value addition of precious stones.

PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Pezeshkian.

Atabak thanked Pakistan for its hospitality and praised the country’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and its solidarity with Iran.

He reiterated Tehran’s interest in expanding economic and commercial ties with Pakistan and said technical-level negotiations on a Pakistan-Iran free trade agreement were underway.