Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to seek Pakistan's support for the continuation of its nuclear programme as well as to discuss the progress on the India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project.
Larijani will also hold talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and also call on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukar Aziz.
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Larijani was earlier scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Monday but the visit was rescheduled at Iran's request,
Foreign Office spokesman Naeem Khan said on Tuesday.
Iran is trying to seek support of non-western nations to avoid any possible United Nations Security Council sanctions.
His visit also coincides with the 2-day India-Pakistan petroleum secretary-level joint working group meeting scheduled to take place in Islamabad on Thursday.
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Petroleum Secretary S C Sinha would attend the talks and Larijani was expected to get an update on the talks as
both Pakistan and India expressed their interest to go ahead with the 2,700 km pipeline despite reservations expressed
by United States.
Ali Larijani, who served as the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, now holds a key position in the Cabinet
as the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei's representative to the Supreme National Security Council.
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He was appointed the country's chief nuclear negotiator by the new Iranian president to replace Hasan Rohani.
Larijani's visit comes ahead of a crucial International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors' meeting in Vienna on September 19 that could refer Iran's case to the UNSC.