Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Lahore on 2 Aug. for a two-day state visit to Pakistan, his first trip abroad since taking office. He was received at the airport by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before travelling to Islamabad for talks with the country’s political leadership. Speaking to reporters before departure from Tehran, Pezeshkian said the visit aims to deepen political, economic and security cooperation, setting a goal of lifting bilateral trade to US$10 billion. He added that border security, counter-terrorism coordination and broader regional peace would feature prominently in the discussions. The Iranian leader is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a preparatory phone call with Araghchi earlier in the day to finalize the agenda. Pezeshkian is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and parliamentary leaders before concluding the visit on 3 Aug.