ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday discussed ways and means to promote bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in various fields of mutual interest.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire Pakistani nation welcomed the visit of the Iranian president, saying it was the first visit of a head of a state after the general elections in Pakistan.
The Iranian president expressed gratitude to the prime minister for the warm welcome accorded to him.
IRANIAN PRESIDENT, FM DAR DISCUSS BILATERAL TIES
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi in Islamabad and discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments.
They emphasised the importance of enhanced efforts to further consolidate bilateral relations in diverse fields. They affirmed commitment to peace and constructive dialogue for resolving regional challenges.
WELCOME CEREMONY AT PM HOUSE
A formal welcome ceremony in honour of Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi was held at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
A smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces presented guard of honor to the Iranian President. Anthems of both the countries were also played on the occasion.
Later, the Prime Minister introduced his cabinet members to the Iranian President. In connection with the International Earth Day, the Iranian President and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif planted a sapling at the Prime Minister's House.
IRANIAN PRESIDENT RAISI LANDS IN PAKISTAN
Earlier, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reached here on Monday morning on a three-day state visit.
On arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, he was warmly received by Federal Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada.This is the first visit by any head of state to Pakistan after the general elections in February 2024.
During his stay in Pakistan, Raisi will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, a statement said, adding that he was also scheduled to visit Lahore and Karachi, where he would hold talks with the provincial leadership.
Upon his arrival at the Prime Minister House, guard of honour was presented to the visiting dignitary.
Earlier, the Iranian President was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House.
The Iranian president is accompanied by his wife, the foreign minister and cabinet members, senior officials as well as a large business delegation.
SIGNIFICANCE OF VISIT
According to the Foreign Office, the two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture and people-to-people contacts.
“They will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism,” the statement read.
Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations.
The high-profile visit follows the recent trip by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud during which Islamabad invited Riyadh for joint business ventures like the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and airports as Pakistan aims at bolstering foreign investment to stabilise shaky economy.
It also comes just days after Iran went for a retaliatory strike against Israel after the Tel Aviv killed senior Iranian officials in an attack on a diplomatic compound in Damascus – the Syrian capital – followed by an Israeli attack on the Iranian soil, which, Tehran says, was of no consequence.
Although it was initially feared that the exchanges might develop into a major regional conflict and a steep rise in oil prices, both of these worst-possible scenarios didn’t materialise.
Earlier, Islamabad had indicated that the country would revive the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project and seek relaxation from Washington from the US sanctions imposed on the neighbour located across our western border amid the reports that work had already been initiated on constructing the portion within Pakistan.
However, the US had made it clear that there won’t be any compromise on the sanctions targeting Iran, which have only grown stricter after former president Donald Trump opted out of the Iran nuclear deal signed by his predecessor Barack Obama.