Iranian President Raisi concludes maiden visit to Pakistan; discusses ways to combat terrorism

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi strengthens ties with Pakistan, focusing on trade, security, and people-to-people contacts during visit.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up his three-day maiden trip to Pakistan on April 24 and had "productive" talks with the country's top leadership, including the army chief, to combat terrorism and strengthen bilateral trade ties.

The two sides signed eight MoUs while vowing to increase trade to $10 billion in the coming years.

Mr. Raisi's visit to Pakistan was the first by any head of state to Islamabad after the February 8 general election.

He had said Tehran was ready to exchange its prowess in industry, science, and technology with Pakistan while showing his resolve to remove trade barriers between the two neighbours.

According to the Foreign Office, the two sides held productive talks during the visit. “The two sides held productive discussions and agreement to advance bilateral cooperation in multiple domains including in trade, connectivity, energy and people-to-people contacts,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Mr. Raisi arrived on Monday with a large delegation to promote ties about three months after the relationship suffered a setback due to tit-for-tat air strikes against each other, apparently to hit terrorists.

In Islamabad, he discussed security and economic issues with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.