Irani President Raisi pays visit to Quaid’s mausoleum

KARACHI: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi paid a visit to the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi. After arriving in Karachi via a special aircraft, President Dr Raisi proceeded to the mausoleum, where he was presented a guard of honour. He laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum.

Upon his arrival in Karachi, he was welcomed by Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other provincial dignitaries at the Karachi airport. The Sindh governor expressed his gratitude for his visit to Karachi. Provincial ministers Azra Pechuho, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and National Assembly member Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also welcomed the Iranian president.

Strict security arrangements were made for the Iranian president’s arrival from Lahore to Karachi via a special aircraft.

A spokesperson for the Karachi police said that over 3,847 police officers and personnel had been deployed for the security of the Iranian delegation.

He said that snipers had also been positioned at sensitive locations in the city.

The Iranian president proceeded from the mausoleum to the Chief Minister’s House, where he will meet with the Sindh chief minister and cabinet members. During this visit, the University of Karachi will honour the Iranian president with an honorary doctorate.

According to the schedule, the Iranian president will stay in Karachi overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday and will depart from Karachi on Wednesday morning.

Earlier today, the Iranian president arrived in Lahore from Islamabad, where he was warmly received by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who introduced him to the members of the Punjab cabinet.

Maryam Nawaz thanked President Raisi and the first lady Jamileh Alamolhoda for their visit to Lahore and congratulated them on the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

She emphasized the need to enhance bilateral cooperation for industrial and agricultural development and welcomed Iranian investment in Punjab’s value-added livestock market.

Maryam Nawaz said that Punjab offers excellent opportunities for investment in the environmentally friendly green energy sector and wished prosperity and peace for the people of Iran.

The Iranian president and the first lady thanked the Punjab chief minister for the warm reception.

Later, President Raisi paid his respects at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, where he laid flowers and offered prayers.

On this occasion, he remarked on the deep connection between Pakistan and Iran, expressing his pleasure in visiting Pakistan and feeling a sense of familiarity.

He praised Pakistan’s principled stance on Gaza and expressed his desire to hold a public rally in Pakistan, which could not be realized due to certain reasons, acknowledging the emotional and religious nature of the Pakistani people.

He said that the Pakistan-Iran friendship is higher than the Himalayas, and there is a deep relationship between Pakistan and Iran.

“I salute the people of Pakistan; Allama Iqbal’s personality is important to us. He stood against colonization; his inspiring personality was dedicated to God. That is why we believe in him; our hearts will always be connected,” the Iranian president said.

He said that Palestinians will succeed in the war against Israel; those who oppress the Palestinians will be defeated.

Later, the Iranian president arrived at the Governor House Punjab, where Governor Baligh Ur Rahman welcomed him. The Iranian president met with various personalities and had lunch at the Governor’s House.

The Iranian president also visited the Government College University, Lahore, where he was warmly welcomed. Vice-Chancellor Dr Shazia Bashir presented a gold medal to the Iranian president.

While addressing the university faculty and students, the Iranian president said that cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, including in other fields such as energy, will be further enhanced in the future.