Iran prez arrives on a two-day visit to Pakistan

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived here on Friday on a landmark visit for talks with Pakistani leadership on improving relations and clinching key economic deals including the construction of a gas pipeline.

Rouhani, who is here on his maiden visit, will meet President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tomorrow and will discuss cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two-day visit has assumed significance after lifting of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme. The withdrawal of sanctions has opened new avenues for enhancing bilateral economic interaction.

The Iranian leader is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials and businessmen showing his keenness to deepen the ties. The start of construction of multi-billion dollars Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and import of 3,000 MW of electricity from Iran are on the agenda, a Pakistani official said.

“The two sides will also discuss modalities to increase trade to $5 billion in the coming years,” he said.