By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Raisi is in Pakistan several months after Tehran’s airstrikes targeting suspected terrorist hideouts in the unrest-plagued province of Balochistan soured relations between the two neighbors.
After the country’s general elections on February 8, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made his first official visit to Pakistan’s senior leadership, arriving in Islamabad on April 22 for a three-day visit.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ X account, the Iranian president received a warm greeting at Islamabad Airport from Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Iranian President is joined by his spouse as well as a high-level delegation that includes the Foreign Minister, Cabinet members, and senior officials.
President Raisi is scheduled to visit President Asif Ali Zardari, accordingly he has a busy schedule during his stay Pakistan. Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He will also visit Lahore and Karachi to meet with provincial leaders, according to the Foreign Office.
According to Radio Pakistan, Mr. Raisi will meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today, as well as participate in delegation-level negotiations between the two countries.
The story stated that the visiting dignitary would be given a guard of honor upon their arrival at the Prime Minister House.
In celebration of Earth Day, the Iranian president and Prime Minister Shehbaz will plant a seedling in the PM’s house, the statement added. They will also be present for the signing of memorandums of understanding for mutual cooperation in a number of disciplines.
“The two leaders will take part in a ceremony to name a roadway in Islamabad Iran Avenue. “They will also hold a press conference,” Radio Pakistan reported, adding that the prime minister will host a lunch for the Iranian president and his delegation.
Mr. Raisi is in Pakistan a few months after Tehran stunned Islamabad in January by launching airstrikes against suspected terrorist hideouts in the volatile province of Balochistan, shattering the friendly relations between the two neighbors.
Pakistan responded quickly, employing killer drones and missiles to launch “precision military strikes” against what it said “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Siestan-Balochistan province, killing nine people.
However, the two sides moved quickly to defuse issues through diplomatic channels. Mr. Raisi’s visit is expected to improve their relationship.