The Foreign Office (FO) announced on Sunday that Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi would embark on an official visit to Pakistan from April 22 to April 24. This marks the first visit by any head of state to Pakistan following the February 8 general elections.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the foreign minister and other cabinet members, as well as a substantial business delegation, President Raisi’s itinerary includes meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. Additionally, visits to Lahore and Karachi are scheduled, where he will engage with provincial leadership.
The agenda for discussions between the two nations encompasses a broad spectrum, aiming to fortify Pakistan-Iran ties and foster cooperation in various sectors such as trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges. Regional and global developments, as well as joint efforts to combat terrorism, will also be on the agenda.
Highlighting the historical, cultural, and religious ties between Pakistan and Iran, the FO emphasized the significance of this visit in further bolstering bilateral relations.
This visit follows recent tensions between the two countries, sparked by attacks launched by Iran in Pakistani territory, and subsequent retaliatory strikes by Pakistan. However, both nations have reiterated their commitment to maintaining friendly relations despite security challenges, as emphasized in a recent phone call between President Zardari and President Raisi.
