ISLAMABAD – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, while on athree-day official visit, said Iranian leadership will not let its soil beused against Pakistan.

The Iranian link> envoylink> , speaking to journalists, addedthat Iran’s relations with India are not aimed against Pakistan.

Zarif also invited Pakistan and China to invest in the port of Chabahar,strategically situated at the mouth of Straits of Hormuz and said bothcountries will need to cooperate for ending terrorism in the region.

The neighbouring country’s top diplomat is in Pakistan for talks with thePakistani leadership during his visit.

Zarif, who arrived early Monday morning, received a warm welcome by seniorofficials of the Foreign Ministry at Islamabad airport.

The Iranian link> foreign minister is headinga 30-member delegation, which will hold talks on several bilateral issues.

During the meetings, the Iranian link>delegationwill discuss matters pertaining to trade, energy, culture, people to peoplecontacts besides discussing other matters of mutual interest.

Zarif is also expected to hold meetings with President Mamnoon Hussain andPrime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

He will also hold meetings with the Pakistani leadership and address athink tank on mutual relations of Pakistan and Iran.

While addressing the Pak-Iran Business Forum on Monday, theIranianlink> foreign minister shared that there hasbeen a 50 per cent increase in trade between Pakistan and Iran since lastyear.

“Together, we can move towards free trade agreement,” he shared, addingthat Pakistan and Iran are leading Muslim countries in different industries.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif also weighed in on the topic and remarkedthat the trade activity between Pakistan and Iran has increased in the pasttwo years.

“Trade with Iran has increased by USD1 billion,” said Pakistan’s foreignminister.

Zarif also remarked that extremism and terrorism spread due to poverty. -Agencies