Pakistan and Iran agree to boost trade, but Washington casts long shadow

Sanction fears could make it tough for neighbors to expand bilateral business

20240425 Raisi Sharif

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, right, walks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Islamabad on April 22. (prime minister's office handout via Reuters)

ADNAN AAMIR, Contributing writer

ISLAMABAD -- As Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up a trip to Pakistan this week, the two sides agreed to boost trade and work on rebuilding trust in the wake of border clashes in January. But experts say that pressure from Washington will continue to overshadow the relationship, making it tough for Islamabad to ramp up business with its neighbor.

Raisi visited the Pakistani capital along with the major cities of Lahore and Karachi from Monday through Wednesday, meeting the nation's president and prime minister as well as the chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh provinces.

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