Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Visits Karachi, Pays Tribute at Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Karachi, Pakistan on Tuesday as part of his three-day official visit to the country. Upon his arrival, Raisi was warmly welcomed at the Jinnah International Airport by Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and other dignitaries.

As the concluding leg of his Pakistan tour, President Raisi's first stop in Karachi was the Mazar (mausoleum) of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. At the Mazar, Raisi laid a floral wreath, offered prayers, and honored Jinnah's leadership skills. A contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honor to the Iranian president.

In the visitors' book, Raisi expressed his pleasure at paying respects at the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation. He emphasized the strong relations between Iran and Pakistan, stating that "no power in the world can spoil the relations between the two countries."

Why this matters: Raisi's visit to Pakistan is the first by any head of state since Shehbaz Sharif took charge as the Prime Minister after the February 8 polls. The visit aims to strengthen cultural ties and economic collaboration between Iran and Pakistan.

Prior to his Karachi visit, Raisi had visited Lahore, where he met with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman, and honored at the mausoleum of renowned Pakistani poet Allama Iqbal. The Iranian president praised the cultural heritage of Lahore and expressed a desire for enhanced people-to-people contacts between the two nations.

During his stay in Karachi, Raisi is scheduled to hold meetings with the Sindh governor and chief minister, as well as participate in a business forum meeting. He will also receive an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Karachi in recognition of his academic accomplishments and contributions to jurisprudence and law.

Rigorous security measures were implemented in Karachi for the Iranian president's visit, with major roads closed to traffic and a local holiday declared to avoid inconvenience to the people. A total of 3,847 police officers and personnel were deployed in the city to ensure the safety of the visiting dignitary.

President Raisi's visit to Pakistan underscores the commitment of both countries to bolster their bilateral ties. The Iranian president expressed his desire to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in the energy and other sectors, and thanked the Pakistani leadership for their hospitality during his visit.

Key Takeaways

• Iranian President Raisi visited Pakistan, including Karachi and Lahore.
• Raisi paid respects at the mausoleums of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
• Raisi met with Pakistani leaders to strengthen cultural and economic ties.
• Raisi received an honorary doctorate from the University of Karachi.
• Raisi's visit underscored the commitment to bolster Iran-Pakistan bilateral relations.