Iranian president to visit Pakistan

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will visit Pakistan on March 25-26 for talks on bilateral and regional matters, an official announcement said on Wednesday.

This will be Rouhani's first visit to Pakistan as the president of Iran, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Iranian president will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials and businessmen, the foreign ministry said.

In Islamabad, the president will hold meetings with the Pakistani president and the prime minister.

"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 also be discussed, it said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Iran in May 2014 and January 2016.