Iranian president arrives in Pakistan on two-day visit

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Pakistan Friday on a two-day state visit for talks on bilateral and regional matters, focusing on economic and energy cooperation, officials said.

This is Rouhani's first visit to Pakistan as the president of Iran.

The Iranian president is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials and businessmen, the Foreign Ministry said.

During his stay in Islamabad, the president of Iran will hold meetings with the president and the prime minister of Pakistan.

"The Leadership will have an exchange of views on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly after lifting of the sanctions on Iran that has opened new avenues for enhancing economic interaction," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual concern will be discussed, the Foreign Ministry said.

In a message to Pakistani people on the eve of his visit, the Iranian president called for strong economic, trade and political relations with Pakistan in the sanction-free environment.

He favoured Pakistan's access to Iran's rich natural resources to meet the energy requirements of the people. He underscored cooperation between Iran and Pakistan for security on the borders and fighting against extremism and violence.

"After lifting the unjust sanctions against Iran, the ground is just prepared for a rapid leap in establishing bilateral and multilateral economical relations, developing trade and strengthening political-cultural ties, more than ever," the Iranian leader said.

"In this context, both countries have tried to bring private sector into business and it'll make a big difference in developing better relations," he said.

Rouhani described terrorism and extremism as a terrible disease and said it has encroached upon the whole world, but the Muslim world has suffered more than others from this scourge. Enditem