Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi embarked on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, arriving in the federal capital on Monday.
Accompanied by his spouse, a delegation of cabinet members, and a substantial contingent of businesspersons, President Raisi is set to engage in a series of meetings during his stay from April 22 to 24.
These meetings include sessions with Pakistan’s prime minister, president, Senate chairman, and National Assembly speaker, with a focus on bolstering bilateral relations, trade, and cooperation across various sectors such as energy and agriculture, as outlined by the foreign office.
Discussions will also delve into cooperation on regional and global issues, with a particular emphasis on joint efforts to combat the common threat of terrorism, according to foreign office sources.
President Raisi’s agenda encompasses key areas such as bilateral relations, security cooperation, the gas pipeline project, and the exploration of potential free trade agreements. Notably, Pakistan and Iran have agreed to establish a joint special economic zone to enhance economic ties, with plans to set up the zone on the Ramdan-Gabad border.
The federal cabinet has reportedly approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during President Raisi’s visit, with preparations for the establishment of the joint special economic zone progressing well. This initiative is set to be facilitated at the government-to-government level.
In addition to engagements in Islamabad, President Raisi will visit Karachi and Lahore to meet provincial leadership and pay homage at significant landmarks such as the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum. Following his visit to Karachi, President Raisi will return to Tehran on Wednesday.
Given the significance of the visit, provincial authorities have heightened security measures, declaring a public holiday in Karachi on April 23.
