ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi is scheduled to visit Pakistan on April 22 for two days, following Iran’s recent drone and missile strike on Israel.
Iranian Embassy sources told local publication that the schedule of the visit is yet to be announced officially by Islamabad and Tehran but President Ebrahim Raisi’s plan of visiting Islamabad is final. The Foreign Office has also confirmed the visit.
Iranian President Raisi is the first foreign head of state/government who will visit Pakistan after Shehbaz Sharif took charge as the prime minister last month.
President Raisi will entail high-level meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and military leaders. President Asif Ali Zardari will host a banquet in honor of the visiting president.
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This diplomatic exchange comes in the wake of Iran’s aggressive response to an Israeli airstrike on its Damascus consulate, resulting in casualties among military commanders. Iranian President and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will discuss the recent developments and regional security situation including the Afghanistan and Palestinian issues.
The trip underscores ongoing efforts to bolster cooperation between Iran and Pakistan, despite past tensions exacerbated by cross-border incidents earlier this year. The agenda for President Raisi’s visit encompasses discussions on various fronts, including bilateral relations, security collaboration, progress on a gas pipeline project, and the potential negotiation of a free trade agreement (FTA).
Furthermore, Iran has pledged to release Pakistani nationals stranded on a vessel seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), demonstrating the enduring strength of the bond between the two nations.