LAHORE: The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, delivered a strong statement on Tuesday regarding Iran’s political independence, asserting that the Iranian people will never accept external interference in their political system or dictation from foreign powers. Speaking at the Annual Conference on Resilient Economy and Shifting Global Order, the ambassador emphasized that Iran possesses both the capability and determination to defend itself and its leadership. Addressing bilateral trade relations between Iran and Pakistan, Ambassador Moghadam revealed that Iran has established dedicated markets on its side of the border to facilitate enhanced commercial exchanges with Pakistan. This development signals Tehran’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Islamabad despite regional challenges. Foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi provided analysis of Pakistan’s diplomatic strategy in the post-Cold War era, highlighting Islama-bad’s consistent efforts to maintain balanced relations with all major global powers rather than aligning exclusively with any particular bloc. He noted that Pakistan has cultivated particularly close ties with China, with both defense and economic cooperation expanding significantly in recent years. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major infrastructure and development project, exemplifies the depth of this strategic partnership. However, Mehdi emphasized that Pakistan has simultaneously worked to preserve and improve its relationship with the United States. He pointed out that Pakistan maintains a favourable trade balance with Washington, enjoying a surplus rather than a deficit in bilateral trade. The foreign affairs expert further explained that Pakistan has successfully navigated the complex politics of great power competition while also maintaining equilibrium in its relations within the Muslim world. He cited recent diplomatic achievements as evidence of this balanced approach, including a recently signed defense strategic agreement with Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously, Pakistan has strengthened ties with Iran, with the Iranian parliament recently echoing with expressions of gratitude toward Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026