Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi landed in Islamabad today on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, marking a significant diplomatic milestone.
This is the first foreign leader's visit to Pakistan since the elections on February 8, which the US will be keenly monitoring in light of the tension between Iran and Israel. According to sources, the visit has nothing to do with the simmering animosity.
President Raisi will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chairman of the Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir during the visit.
In addition, he will meet with the provincial leaders in Karachi and Lahore.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office, stated that the Iranian president will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level group that includes the foreign minister and other cabinet members, senior officials, and a sizable business delegation.
President Raisi's visit will involve a comprehensive agenda between the two countries to improve collaboration in several areas such as commerce, energy, agriculture, connectivity, people-to-people connections, and people-to-people contacts, as well as to further fortify Pakistan-Iran relations.
Leaders from both sides will also talk about bilateral collaboration to counter the shared danger of terrorism as well as regional and worldwide incidents.
Pakistan's ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, and Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, greeted the dignitary as he arrived at the Islamabad airport.
The FO stated that following delegation-level talks between PM Shehbaz and Iran's Raisi in the PM Office, many memorandums of understanding (MoUs) will be inked by both sides.
Additionally, the prime minister will honor the visiting dignitary with a luncheon.
The FO further mentioned that President Zardari would host a dinner in honor of his Iranian counterpart at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Raisi is scheduled to visit Lahore as part of his high-profile tour of Pakistan, where he is expected to meet with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Governor Balighur Rehman.
He is also expected to pay a visit to Allama Iqbal's mausoleum.
The Iranian leader is scheduled to meet with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori in Karachi.
Raisi will also pay his respects to Pakistan's founding father at Quaid's mausoleum in Karachi.
On Wednesday, the foreign leader would return to Tehran from Karachi.
Due to the high-profile visit, the province authorities are extremely vigilant, and April 23 has been declared a public holiday in Karachi.