Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi along with his delegation arrived in the port city of Karachi Tuesday on the third leg of his visit to Pakistan.
Sindh Governor Arrival and Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah received the Iranian President at the Jinnah International Airport.
President Asif Ali Zardari’s daughter, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto, was also present at the airport to welcome the visiting dignitaries.
Strict security measures were in place at the airport and its surrounding areas to avoid any untoward incident.
Later, President Raisi visited Quaid's mausoleum and paid his respects to the founder of Pakistan.
After visiting the Quaid's mausoleum, the Iranian president met the Sindh governor at the CM House. They discussed various issues, including matters of mutual interest during the meeting.
Both officials agreed to increase cultural exchanges between the two countries.
“Pakistan and Iran have historical relations,” said the Sindh governor. While the Iranian president thanked Governor Tessori for the warm welcome and excellent hospitality.
In recognition of his services for further bolstering ties between the two nations, Sindh Governor Tessori, being the chancellor of the University of Karachi, awarded an honorary degree of doctorate in philosophy (PhD) to the Iranian president.
Speaking on the occasion, the governor said: “It is an honour for the University of Karachi to confer the honourary degree on the Iranian president.”
Stressing the need for an ideal relationship among the Muslim countries, the governor said that he wanted to further strengthen ties between Pakistan and Iran.
He invited the Iranian business community to invest in Pakistan and take advantage of favourable and business friendly environment in the country.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during his visit to Karachi and had a detailed discussion on Pakistan-Iran economic opportunities, including issues concerning investment.
A statement issued by CM Shah’s spokesperson Abdul Rasheed Channa said the Iranian president and provincial chief held a meeting discussing investment issues and bilateral economic opportunities.
Provincial ministers also attended the meeting. CM Shah said the Sindh government had always encouraged private enterprise and there were “vast investment opportunities” in various sectors across the province.
A ceremony was later held in honour of the Iranian president who also addressed it and “expressed his delight” at being hosted in Sindh.
Addressing the ceremony, CM Shah said: “It is a matter of pride and honour for me that today I am welcoming the president of a brotherly country, a long-time friend, sympathiser and benefactor of Pakistan,” adding that Pak-Iran relations spanned “centuries”.
“The religious, academic, cultural and economic ties between us are strong and deepening with time. Pakistan and Iran have supported each other wholeheartedly,” he said.
CM Shah said the two countries were passing through an “important period in history” where brotherhood, unity and mutual support were “essential”.
“We are facing various problems in which terrorism, illegal trade, climate change and its negative effects, increasing atrocities in Palestine and Kashmir are the top.
“Genocide of Muslims in Palestine and Kashmir is a matter of concern. In the eyes of Pakistan, a peaceful solution to the problems of Palestine and Kashmir is the most important need of the hour,” the chief minister said.
He added that Muslims should unite and support Palestinians in this difficult time.
Shah further said that Pakistan’s “firm and principled stand” was that there should be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Palestinians should be given their rights while the problem of Kashmiris must be solved in the light of UN resolutions.
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 general election.
Strict security measures have been taken, including air surveillance along with temporary internet suspension during the dignitary's movement. To avoid the consequent inconvenience to the general public, the provincial governments announced a local holiday in Lahore and Karachi.
During his visit to Karachi, the Iranian leader will meet Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
Earlier today, the Iranian president arrived in 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) and addressed the students and faculty.