Iranian President Raisi, Pakistan PM Sharif agree on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism months after tit-for-tat air strikes

Pakistan and Iran leaders agree on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism and strengthen trade and diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on April 22 agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism as they discussed ways to promote cooperation between their countries, months after the two neighbours carried out tit-for-tat air strikes against alleged terrorist hideouts on rival lands.

Mr. Raisi, the first head of State of any country to visit Pakistan after the February 8 general elections, was welcomed by PM Sharif at the Prime Minister House where the Iranian leader inspected the Guard of Honour.

During their talks, President Raisi and Prime Minister Sharif agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

It added that the two leaders also held discussions to increase trade and communication links between their countries.

Addressing a joint press conference, Iranian President Raisi said that the existing bilateral trade volume was “not acceptable” and added that Iran and Pakistan have decided to increase the trade volume to $10 billion.

"We are committed to strengthening relations at high levels....Economic and trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is not acceptable. We have decided as a first step to increase trade volume between our two countries to $10bn," Mr. Raisi said.

On his part, Mr. Sharif called for strengthening Pak-Iran ties despite challenges. "We have to keep this relationship strong despite the challenges we both face," he said.