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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up his three-day official visit to Pakistan on Wednesday, which included stops in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore.
At Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and Housing Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada bid farewell to the Iranian president and his delegation, as reported by Radio Pakistan.
While Iran’s news agency IRNA stated that Raisi departed for Sri Lanka’s Colombo for the next leg of his South Asia tour at the invitation of his counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe, Radio Pakistan reported his return to Iran.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), Raisi’s visit marked his first to Pakistan, during which fruitful discussions occurred, leading to agreements on advancing bilateral cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people contacts.
On the second day of his visit, Raisi visited Lahore and Karachi, coinciding with local holidays to minimize inconvenience to the public. Notably, the Sindh government imposed a ban on drones in Karachi during his visit.
In Lahore, Raisi met with Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz and Governor Balighur Rehman, emphasizing cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. He also paid respects at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum, expressing a strong bond with the Pakistani people.
In Karachi, discussions with CM Murad focused on economic opportunities between Pakistan and Iran, with Raisi expressing Tehran’s readiness to share expertise in industry, science, and technology. However, security measures and road closures caused inconvenience to locals.
During his Islamabad visit, Raisi aimed to enhance trade ties, with commitments made to increase trade volume to $10 billion over five years. Various high-level meetings, agreements, and memorandums of understanding were signed, signaling strengthened bilateral relations.
Raisi’s visit holds significance amid regional tensions and efforts to mend ties following past conflicts. Both countries seek to address issues such as cross-border strikes and the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, crucial for Pakistan’s energy needs.
Despite warnings from Washington regarding potential sanctions, Pakistan remains committed to its partnership with Iran, including the gas pipeline project.
Raisi’s visit underscores the importance of diplomatic engagement and cooperation in addressing regional challenges and fostering economic development.
Haseeb Abdullah
