Look at 10 key points from Iranian President Raisi's visit to Pakistan

Lahore. Raisi's visit to Pakistan comes several months after the friendly relations between the two neighboring countries experienced a setback. This occurred when Tehran surprised Islamabad by conducting airstrikes on purported militant hideouts in the turbulent Balochistan province back in January.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's three-day visit to Pakistan commenced on Monday, emphasizing efforts to bolster bilateral relations amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as stated by Pakistan’s foreign office.

Accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation including cabinet members and businesspersons, President Raisi was warmly received at Islamabad Airport by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu.

The visit coincided with escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent drone and missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, underscoring the importance of diplomatic engagements to defuse regional tensions.

According to a statement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office, President Raisi is slated to meet with Prime Minister Sharif at the PM’s House, where delegation-level talks and the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to take place.

During his stay from April 22 to 24, President Raisi is scheduled to meet other key figures in Pakistan, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, along with engagements in Karachi and Lahore to meet provincial leadership.

This visit marks the first by any head of state to Pakistan following the general elections held in February 2024, signifying its significance in shaping post-election diplomatic engagements between the two countries.

The longstanding border issues and security concerns along the Pakistan-Iran border have often strained relations between the two nations, with occasional military actions taken by both sides in response to alleged militant activities.

Recent efforts at peace negotiations and dialogue have helped in restoring bilateral ties, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people contacts.

The foreign office reiterated the historical, cultural, and religious ties that underpin Pakistan-Iran relations, highlighting the visit as a crucial opportunity to further fortify and expand bilateral cooperation between the two neighboring countries. 

Discussions during the visit are expected to delve into regional and global developments, including joint efforts to combat terrorism, reflecting the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran towards regional stability and security.