ISLAMABAD: Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz held talks in Tehran on Monday to set the agenda of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s visit to Iran from May 11.

He met Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and officials of the ministry of finance.

Visiting the country as Mr Sharif`s special envoy, Mr Aziz delivered a letter from the prime minister to Dr Rouhani which, the Foreign Office said, underscored Pakistan`s `desire to strengthen relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran` The two countries had initially planned to form a joint ministerial commission for deciding the agenda of Mr Sharif`s visit but later agreed to a visit by the Iranian interior minister to Islamabad, which also could not happen. It was ultimately decided to send Mr Aziz to Tehran on the preparatory trip.

Sources familiar with the discussions Mr Aziz held in Tehran said that during his visit from May 11, the prime minister would focus on strengthening cooperation in political, security and trade domains.

He would seek an extension in the deadline for completion of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. It is to be completed by December this year after which penalties can be imposed on Pakistan. Late last year Islamabad put the project on hold citing unavailability of funds due to sanctions over Iran`s nuclear programme.

Iran is also reported to be asking for guarantees from Pakistan that it will not allow its territorytobe used againstIran.

The government is trying to use the Iran visit to dispel a perception that it has entered into Saudi embrace as suggested by a flurry of highlevel exchanges with the kingdom earlier this year and the $1.5 billion Saudi gift.

Mr Aziz told Senate panel on foreign affairs last month that it was important to strike a proper balance in relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran. He admitted that achieving such a balance was tricky and complicated.