Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Iranian provincial governor Mansour Bijar have agreed on a roadmap to deepen economic ties, with a shared ambition to more than triple bilateral trade from its current level. The high-level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday focused on border cooperation, investment, and regional stability. Main Developments Governor Bijar stated that bilateral trade, presently around $3 billion, could reach $10 billion through joint efforts. He argued that stronger border trade would not only stimulate economic activity but also help address shared security challenges. Bugti reaffirmed the Balochistan government's commitment to border barter trade and supporting the $10 billion target. He agreed that expanding economic opportunities would significantly contribute to peace, stability, and an improved security environment in the region. Read also: Senate Panel Slams Wapda Over Costly Hydropower Delays The chief minister announced plans to make three existing border markets more active and efficient, and to establish additional ones to create employment and facilitate trade for border communities. He also described the proposed Chagai-Sukkur railway track upgrade as strategically important for improving cargo transportation and bilateral trade. Background The meeting builds on longstanding but underutilized economic potential between the two neighbors. While border trade has historically been limited by security concerns and infrastructure gaps, both sides have periodically sought to expand commercial links. Bugti emphasized that lasting peace is the foundation of sustainable development, calling for coordinated action to eliminate non-state actors operating from their respective territories. This would enable communities on both sides of the border to benefit from peace, stability, and economic progress. Why It Matters The agreement targets a tripling of trade volume, which would provide a significant economic boost to Balochistan and Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province—both relatively underdeveloped regions. The proposed security division for the Western Corridor aims to protect the mineral corridor while facilitating trade with Iran, strengthening economic ties. Modern slaughterhouses and cold storage facilities being developed by the Balochistan government aim to promote livestock trade, and Bugti welcomed Iranian investment in this sector. The establishment of joint working groups would institutionalize cooperation on trade, investment, border cooperation, infrastructure, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges. What's Next Bugti proposed forming joint working groups between the two governments to ensure regular progress on the agreed agenda. Plans to upgrade the Chagai-Sukkur railway and establish additional border markets will require detailed feasibility studies and funding. The security division for the Western Corridor is expected to be established by the Balochistan government, which will need to coordinate with federal authorities. Both sides will likely schedule follow-up meetings to review implementation of the agreements reached in Islamabad.