RELIGION

Iranian president expected in Pakistan on 2-day visit

Associated Press
Published | Updated

The hoardings of visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, center, is on display with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, right, and President Mamnoon Hussain at the Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, March 25, 2016. Rouhani was expected in Pakistan on Friday in a landmark visit, his first since becoming president, at a time when Saudi Arabia is courting Islamabad to increase participation in a new Saudi-led military alliance of mostly Sunni nations, a coalition perceived by Tehran as an anti-Shiite block. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)

The hoardings of visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, center, is on display with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, right, and President Mamnoon Hussain at the Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, March 25, 2016. Rouhani was expected in Pakistan on Friday in a landmark visit, his first since becoming president, at a time when Saudi Arabia is courting Islamabad to increase participation in a new Saudi-led military alliance of mostly Sunni nations, a coalition perceived by Tehran as an anti-Shiite block. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)

In this photo released by Press Information Department, Visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, left, reviews the guard of honor with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, March 25, 2016. Rouhani arrived Friday in Pakistan on a landmark visit, his first since becoming president, at a time when Saudi Arabia is courting Islamabad to increase participation in a new Saudi-led military alliance of mostly Sunni nations, a coalition perceived by Tehran as an anti-Shiite block. (AP Photo/Press Information Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

Pakistan says Iran's Hassan Rouhani is expected in Islamabad on a two-day visit, his first as president of Iran.

The foreign ministry says Rouhani is due to arrive later on Friday. The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two counties.

The ministry says the visit, which is taking place after the lifting of international sanctions on Iran following the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.

The two sides are also expected to discuss resuming work on a stalled Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, a project designed to help Pakistan meet its energy needs.

Washington had for years opposed the project amid concerns over Tehran's nuclear program.