KARACHI: Amid road and market closures and a public holiday, President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday arrived in Karachi from Lahore.
President Raisi is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan and had reached Islamabad on Monday morning. Upon their arrival at Jinnah International Airport Karachi, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and others welcomed the Iranian president and his delegation.
First Lady Aseefa Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari’s daughter, was also present at the airport. The Iranian president held a meeting with the chief minister of Sindh and discussed Pakistan-Iran economic opportunities, including issues concerning investment.
A statement issued by the provincial government quoted the chief minister as saying: “It is a matter of pride and honor for me that today I am welcoming the president of a brotherly country, a long-time friend, sympathizer and benefactor of Pakistan.” He said relations between Pakistan and Iran spanned centuries.
Before flying to Karachi, the Iranian president addressed students and faculty at Government College University Lahore. President Raisi said Pakistan and Iran were keen to develop centers of arts and learning besides promotion of arts and sciences. He said universities should be centers of learning and research and a comprehensive strategy in the education sector may pay dividends.
He also visited the tomb of Allama Iqbal and said poetry of Iqbal had special acceptance in Iran. He said said Iran would further enhance its cooperation with Pakistan in the energy and other sectors.
