Lahore: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reached Lahore on Tuesday on the second day of his official visit to Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz received Raisi and his delegation at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. His visit to Pakistan is the first of its kind by any head of state after the February 8 general election.
After reaching the provincial capital, the Iranian president visited Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum.
Iranian president Raisi said on this occasion that he did not “feel like a stranger at all”, adding that there were “special emotions and connection” with Pakistani people that kept the two nations connected.
“I wanted that a public rally be held so I could address the public but due to some reasons, the conditionalities were such that it could not be made possible,” he said.
“On behalf of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I say my greetings to the people of Pakistan and Lahore,” Raisi said, appreciating the “revolutionary spirit” present in the people here.
Raisi penned his admiration for Allama Iqbal’s literary legacy in the visitors’ book, the report said, adding that he was also briefed on the ongoing restoration efforts at Lahore’s historical sites, particularly within the Old Walled City.
Also, Pakistan and Iran agreed to strengthen bilateral economic and security cooperation by setting a $10 billion trade target and jointly fighting the menace of terrorism, as the Iranian president began his three-day tour of the country on Monday.
President Raisi was accorded a warm welcome upon arrival in Islamabad. He spent his first day of the visit in meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Army Chief Gen Asim Munir. The Senate chairman and the Nationals Assembly speaker also called on the visiting president.
During the formal talks at the Prime Minister’s House, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues covering bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues.
