Iranian President arrives in Karachi after Lahore visit

KARACHI: Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Karachi on Tuesday amid tight security, on the third leg of his visit to Pakistan.

Upon his arrival at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Governor Kamran Tessori and other dignitaries welcomed the Iranian President and other members of the visiting delegation. President Raisi visited Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum and paid his respects to the Founder of Pakistan.

Sources told Geo News that besides meetings with the governor and the chief minister Sindh, the Iranian President was expected to address members of business forum and attend a dinner at the CM House.

During his stay in Karachi, the Iranian President would also meet the provincial cabinet. In recognition of his services for further bolstering ties between the two brethren nations, the University of Karachi would confer an honorary PhD degree on the Iranian President.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Iranian President visited Lahore where he was warmly welcomed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.Later, the visiting dignitary held separate meetings with CM Maryam and Governor Baligh Ur Rehman. The governor hosted a luncheon in honour of the distinguished guest and his delegation.

Meanwhile, the President visited the historic Government College University (GCU) Lahore and addressed the students and faculty. Addressing the students, President Raisi said Pakistan and Iran enjoy deep-rooted historical, religious and cultural ties and both countries are keen to develop centres of arts and learning besides the promotion of arts and sciences.

“It was need of the hour to pay special attention to arts, sciences and technology to shine among the comity of nations.”On Allama Iqbal, the Iranian President said the poetry of the poet of the East Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal enjoys special acceptance in Iran. He said Pakistan and Iran maintain the same stance on the issue of Palestine. President Raisi said Iran would further enhance its cooperation with Pakistan in the energy and other sectors.

Meanwhile, the Iranian President visited the mausoleum of national poet Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore. He laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum and offered Fateha.The Iranian President touched down in Islamabad on Monday on a three-day official visit from April 22 to 24. Raisi’s visit is the first by any head of state to Islamabad after the February 8 polls.