Iran President Raisi departs after three-day visit

Governor, CM Sindh see off Iranian head of state

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi departed from Karachi for Iran after the completion of his three-day visit.

Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada saw off the Iranian president and his delegation at the Karachi airport.

Raisi said a day earlier that 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.

On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed the desire to fight against terrorism through enhanced efforts and bilateral cooperation.

The Iranian president reached Islamabad on a visit that the outside world watched closely against the backdrop of Tehran's ongoing tensions with Israel.

The two leaders, during a joint press conference, also announced that the trade volume between the two countries would be increased to $10 billion as Raisi termed the current trade volume “not acceptable”.

It is believed that the US is displeased with the Iranian president's visit, given its current efforts to isolate Tehran.

Despite this, Pakistan held its ground against pressure and informed the US that the scheduled visit had been arranged well in advance of the current tensions in the region.

Just days before the Iranian President, the US imposed sanctions on four firms including three Chinese companies for allegedly aiding Pakistan's ballistic and long-range missile program, a move some observers interpret as a signal to Islamabad amid its hosting of the Iranian President. In recent weeks, Pakistan has expressed interest in initiating work on the long-delayed Iran gas pipeline project. However, the US issued a warning, cautioning that Pakistan's decision could trigger sanctions.

Pakistan has often tried to tread a careful path in maintaining ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

However, officials in Islamabad feel that this time Saudis don't have much reservations given their own relationship with Iran improved in recent months.