Iranian President Holds talks with Pakistani PM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday.  Prime Minister Sharif's office said the pair had a vibrant discussion on advancing bilateral relations, specifically in trade and communication and also agreed on the necessity for joint efforts by both countries to combat terrorism.

Raisi has said the visit is also aimed at boosting overall trade between the countries, which currently stands at around $2.5 billion a year. Pakistan is counting on a joint gas project with Iran to solve a long-running power crisis that has sapped its economic growth.