The Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simai-Sarraf, and the Pakistani Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, met to explore opportunities for deepening scientific and academic ties between the two countries.
The officials held talks on Thursday during the sidelines of the Sixth Meeting of the Ministers of Science of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation (ECO) in Islamabad. Discussions focused on strengthening relations through mutual scholarships, exchange of postgraduate students and researchers, and joint work on common issues such as climate change.
The Iranian representative highly appreciated Pakistan's support to the country during the recent war between the US and Israel. Simai-Sarraf expressed hope that the visit would mark the beginning of a significant stage in the development of academic interaction between Iran and Pakistan, citing the religious, cultural, historical, and geographical commonalities of the two states. He also detailed the possibilities and potential of Iranian universities, research centers, and technology parks.
For his part, Maqbool Siddiqui emphasized the fraternal relationship between the nations, stating that since the recent critical situation strengthened the ties between Pakistan and Iran, cooperation needs to be deepened across various sectors.
During the meeting with the Iranian delegation on Tuesday, Maqbool Siddiqui highlighted the importance of bilateral ties, noting that Islamabad intends to develop scientific and technological diplomacy with Tehran. Key discussion topics included improving cooperation in teacher training, curriculum development, digital education, artificial intelligence, educational technologies, technical and vocational training, joint research initiatives, as well as the exchange of professors and students.
The parties also expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between higher education institutions of Pakistan and Iran, including the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). Similar cooperation was also encouraged between other universities and research organizations. Other topics discussed included promoting joint research projects, holding academic conferences, developing innovative partnerships, and providing scholarship opportunities to strengthen academic bonds and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience.
Siddiqui noted that Pakistan is ready to implement the decisions made by the joint commission on education with Iran and to translate the shared vision of both countries into tangible practical results. He stressed that the long-standing fraternal relationship between Iran and Pakistan is a key factor in maintaining institutional interaction in solving common educational challenges and promoting scientific development.
In turn, Simai-Sarraf stated that expanding cooperation between the higher education and scientific institutions of the two countries would further deepen relations and contribute to regional development through innovation, research, and academic interaction. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination between their ministries and scientific and technical institutions, and to explore new areas of cooperation aimed at strengthening public ties, enhancing academic interaction, and promoting sustainable development through education, science, and research.
The Minister of Science attended the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting of the ECO Science Fund at the sixth ECO ministerial meeting. This event brought together ministers, distinguished scientists, and senior officials from ECO member states to discuss the promotion of science, technology, and innovation, as well as to mobilize resources for transformative regional projects aimed at solving common development problems in the ECO region. The sixth BoT meeting reviewed a comprehensive agenda covering project implementation progress, financial oversight, and organizational restructuring. The Council conducted a detailed review of the implementation of previous BoT decisions and approved the work plan for the coming year, thereby strengthening the operational continuity of the institute. The election of the next President of the ECO Science Fund, currently headed by Kamel Tayebi from Iran, was also on the agenda. During his three-day visit, Simai-Sarraf met with the Pakistani Minister of Science and Technology and the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), visited several leading universities in Islamabad, toured the ECO Science Fund, and discussed matters with Persian language professors.
Iran and Pakistan agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, border infrastructure, and security following a series of high-level meetings held in Islamabad. These negotiations took place between Iran's Minister of Interior, Eskandar Momeni, and the civilian and military leadership of Pakistan.
Momeni arrived in Pakistan on Monday and held separate discussions on Tuesday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief General Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Saeed Mohsin Naqvi. The sides sought to strengthen bilateral relations amid growing regional tensions.
Discussions focused on expanding economic interaction, improving border connectivity, and enhancing joint measures against terrorism and cross-border crime. Furthermore, the partners exchanged views on regional events and broader security issues.
One of the key outcomes of the talks was the confirmation of both governments' readiness to increase annual bilateral trade turnover to $10 billion. This will be achieved through improving transport routes, optimizing customs procedures, and removing obstacles to commercial operations.
During discussions with his Pakistani counterpart, Momeni outlined three priorities for Tehran: facilitating the movement of commercial trucks between the two countries, accelerating the growth of bilateral trade, and modernizing the railway infrastructure at the Taftan-Mirjaveh border crossing to strengthen regional connectivity.
The Iranian minister noted that Iran has already expanded its railway network near the Mirjaveh border and expressed hope that Pakistan would accelerate the modernization of its railway infrastructure on the Taftan side, calling this project necessary for developing freight transport and trade.
Momeni also called for the activation of commercial activity at the Rimdan-Ghabd border crossing, strongly urging Islamabad to take additional measures to simplify cross-border trade and improve logistical efficiency.
Regarding security issues, they occupied a prominent place in the discussions. Both sides identified terrorism as a common threat and reaffirmed their commitment to preventing militants and their financial networks from undermining stability along the nearly 900-kilometer border between Iran and Pakistan.
Naqvi demanded closer coordination between the security and intelligence services of the two countries to eliminate terrorist networks and curb their sources of funding. He also emphasized the need for closer bilateral cooperation in combating human trafficking, including efforts to prevent criminal organizations from using maritime routes for illegal migration.
In meetings with Prime Minister Sharif and General Munir, Momeni also reviewed broader regional events and stressed the importance of maintaining political dialogue and strategic coordination between Tehran and Islamabad.
In addition to official meetings, the Iranian minister visited the National Monument of Pakistan in Islamabad to pay tribute to the country's founders and those who died fighting for independence. He also toured the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police of Islamabad and planned to visit the Pakistan Anti-Narcotics Force as part of efforts to expand cooperation in law enforcement and counter-narcotics.
