Iranian President Discusses Bilateral Ties with Pakistan’s Leadership in Islamabad
After spending a few hours in Lahore on the first leg of his two-day visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad later in the day on Saturday.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar received the Iranian president at Noor Khan Air Base. A 21-gun salute was presented to the visiting dignitary.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a high-level Iranian delegation is also accompanying the Iranian president.
Earlier in the day in Lahore, President Pezeshkian paid homage to Pakistan’s national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal by laying a wreath at his mausoleum in Lahore.
Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, President Pezeshkian observed a moment of reflection at the historic site. The dignitaries also recorded their impressions in the visitors’ book.
President Pezeshkian arrived in Lahore earlier in the day on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, along with a high-level delegation. He was warmly received at the airport by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, and senior provincial officials.
Upon arrival, children presented bouquets to the Iranian leader, who expressed sympathy and gratitude toward them for their warm welcome. Security in Lahore was tightened in light of the visit, with major roads leading to the Iqbal Mausoleum and government guesthouses under strict surveillance.
According to the schedule, a state banquet will be held in his honour later today.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Lahore on Saturday afternoon where PML-N President and former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz received the distinguished guest.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the trade relations between Tehran and Islamabad are strong, emphasizing the plan to elevate their annual trade exchanges to $10 billion.
Prior to his departure for Pakistan, Pezeshkian said on Saturday that Tehran and Islamabd have enjoyed good, friendly, and deep-rooted relations since the establishment of Pakistan.
The two countries cooperate in economic, scientific, cultural, and border areas, and a deep bond exists between the people of both sides, he said.
Pezeshkian highlighted that during the recent aggression by the Israeli regime and the US against Iran’s soil, Pakistan was among the countries that strongly condemned this aggression and declared its readiness to provide any necessary support for Iran’s territorial integrity, as well as for the government and people of Iran.
The President identified boosting border trade with Pakistan via land, air, and sea as priorities for this trip. Through Pakistan, Iran can connect to the Silk Road linking China and Pakistan, and the route can then extend through Iran to Europe, he said.
Terming the trade relations between Iran and Pakistan good, the Iranian president reiterated the plan to increase their mutual trade exchanges to $10 billion annually.
Emphasizing that security and border issues are of great importance to both Iran and Pakistan, he said that regional security must be achieved through mutual cooperation.
Pezeshkian also noted that the enemy plans to create divisions among Muslims, but Iran will thwart the enemies’ plots, adding Tehran aims to maintain unity and solidarity with Islamabad.
Later, Pezeshkian left Tehran for Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day trip at the official invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Iranian president is scheduled to visit Lahore, where he will pay his respects at the tomb of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, prominent poet and scholar of the Islamic world, before continuing to Islamabad.
On the second day of his trip, after an official welcome ceremony, Pezeshkian will hold meetings with the prime minister, president, and the heads of the National Assembly and Senate.
Leading a high-ranking political and economic delegation, President Pezeshkian was seen off by his First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, Head of international relations at the office of the Supreme Leader Hojjatoleslam Mohsen Qomi, as well as several government officials.
Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad Reza Amiri-Moghaddam said that during this visit, several important cooperation documents related to economic, trade, transportation, cultural exchanges, customs, standards, border cooperation, and tourism will be signed by officials from both countries.
Earlier, the foreign ministers of Iran and Pakistan discussed and exchanged views on ways to develop bilateral relations and the agenda of the visit of Islamic Republic of Iran.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation on Friday night, reviewing the latest status of bilateral relations and discussing the agenda of the President’s visit to Islamabad.
During the telephone conversation, ways to develop bilateral relations and facilitate economic and trade exchanges between the two countries were also discussed.
