Raisi hails ‘inseparable’ bonds between Iran, Pakistan

President says Iran ready to share its progress in science and technology

KARACHI/ LAHORE:

Iranian President Dr Syed Ebrahim Raisi said on Tuesday his country was ready to share its expertise and significant progress in the field of science and technology with Pakistan, and expressed his determination to promote bilateral relations.

The Iranian president, on the second day of his tour to Pakistan, visited Lahore and Karachi, where he paid rich tributes to the Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

President Raisi stressed that Iran and Pakistan were “inseparable” as the two countries were bound in their deep-rooted historical and cultural ties. He called for focussing on acquiring knowledge, skills, technology to achieve a prominent position in the comity of nations.

In Karachi, while addressing a reception at the Chief Minister House, Raisi said that despite adverse conditions, Iran had made significant progress in industry and science and technology, adding that “Iran is ready to exchange its skills” with Pakistan.

He said that measures were being taken to enhance bilateral political, economic, commercial and public relations for the development and prosperity of the peoples of the two countries. He described his visit to Pakistan as the best opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.

“The historical and cultural relationship between the two neighbouring countries spans over centuries and the peoples of both the countries want to work together for peace and security and development and prosperity in the region,” he added.

Raisi told the gathering that in his recent meetings with President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other high officials of Pakistan, both sides agreed to stabilise Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. “No force can affect the historical relations between the two countries.”

The president emphasised that formal trade between the two countries was in the best interest of the peoples on both sides of the border, adding that both the countries were determined to remove trade barriers and in this regard, various possibilities had been discussed.

Strongly condemning the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian and Gaza, he urged the international organisations to play their active role in stopping the atrocities committed against the innocent people.  He stressed that the freedom of Palestine was the first priority of the Ummah.

The Iranian president paid tribute to the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, saying that they fought hard against colonialism and won freedom for the Muslims of the Subcontinent.

In his address of welcome earlier, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah welcomed the Iranian President and members of his delegation to Karachi. He said that both the countries would have to work together to end terrorism and illegal trade and to deal with the effects of climate change.

Shah also highlighted the investment opportunities in Sindh and said that he wanted to promote trade, economic and investment relations with Iran. “We hope that the development of the region will start from the land of Sindh.”

Earlier, Raisi attended a ceremony at the Governor House, where he was conferred upon the honorary doctorate by the University Karachi. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kamran Tessori said that Pakistan and Iran could learn a lot from each other’s experiences in various fields.

The governor invited Iranian investors to take advantage of the favourable investment environment in Pakistan, especially the country’s economic hub of Karachi. He also invited Iranains to invest in the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) projects.

In the evening, President Ebrahim Raisi, visited the mausoleum of the father of the nation and laid a floral wreath there. He was accompanied by Governor Tessori, members of his delegation and others.
Earlier, Raisi arrived in Lahore. He was welcomed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Iranian Consul General in Lahore Mehran Mawahid and other high officials. The president visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal and laid floral wreath in honour of the world-renowned poet and philosopher.

Speaking on the occasion, he praised the people and government of Pakistan. “Iran and Pakistan are inseparable,” he said, adding that he did not feel like a foreigner here. “The hearts of Iranians people always beat with the Pakistanis. There are strong brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran.”

Later President Raisi addressed the faculty members and students of the Government College University. He said that cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in the fields, including energy would be enhanced in the future.

“Special attention should be paid to [acquiring] knowledge, skills, science and technology to achieve a prominent position in the comity of nations,” the Iranian president said “Better results can be achieved with practice,” he advised.

Later, the Iranian delegation led by President Raisi attended a Luncheon at the Governor House. On the occasion, Chief Minister Maryam thanked President Raisi and First Lady Dr Jamileh-Sadat Alamolhoda for visiting to Lahore.

She said she hoped to work with Iran on economic projects to eradicate poverty. She stressed the need for increasing bilateral cooperation in industrial, agricultural development sectors. She said that there were “excellent investment opportunities available in Punjab, especially in the field of green energy.
Governor Balighur Rehman also held a meeting with the Iranian President. Raisi praised the city of Lahore for its beauty and cultural contribution and expressed a desire for enhanced people-to-people contacts with the people of Pakistan.