Iranian and Pakistani leaders vow to boost trade in a meeting seeking to mend a diplomatic rift

By MUNIR AHMED
Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Iranian and Pakistani leaders have agreed to strengthen economic and security cooperation in a meeting that sought to smooth over a diplomatic rift between the countries. Ties between Iran and Pakistan were strained in January when each carried out strikes in other’s territory, targeting militants accused of attacking their own security forces. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifin and other officials as part of his three-day visit to Pakistan. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent months, mostly blamed on Pakistani Taliban and insurgents targeting security forces in Pakistan and neighboring Iran.