Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reached Islamabad on Monday on a visit that the outside world will watch closely against the backdrop of Tehran’s ongoing tensions with Israel.
The Head of State was received by Housing and Works Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada at the Nur Khan Airbase.
Raisi was presented with a guard of honour by a contingent of the Armed Forces after arriving at the Prime Minister’s House and anthems of both countries were played on the occasion. Later, the prime minister introduced his Cabinet members to the visiting dignitary.
The Iranian President later planted a sampling along with the premier on the occasion of Earth Day. The two leaders will also attend the signing ceremony of MoU between the two countries for cooperation in various fields.
There will also be a round of delegation-level talks between the two countries, reported Radio Pakistan.
Despite the storm clouds brewing in the region, the President of Iran has decided to travel to Pakistan, suggesting the importance Tehran attaches its ties with Islamabad.
The visit was scheduled before the recent tensions between Iran and Israel and was intended as part of efforts to mend relations with Pakistan, which had been strained by tit-for-tat missile strikes in January. The Iranian President is accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the Cabinet, senior officials as well as a large business delegation.
President Raisi’s itinerary includes meetings with the president, prime minister, chairman Senate, and speaker of the National Assembly.
The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen 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 Express Tribune)
