Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives in Lahore as part of two-day visit to Pakistan
The Iranian president — who was welcomed in Lahore by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif — was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior ministers and other high-ranking officials.
He went on to pay a visit to the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal where he received a guard of honour from personnel of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
In light of his visit, security in Lahore was severely heightened, with major roads leading to the Iqbal Mausoleum and government guesthouses being placed under strict surveillance.
As per his schedule, President Pezeshkian will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Sunday. The federal capital has been adorned with welcome banners and the national flags of both countries.
Speaking to reporters in Tehran ahead of his departure, Pezeshkian — who has embarked on his first official visit to Pakistan as president — had said the purpose of the visit was to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.
"The objective of this trip is to boost commercial and economic ties," he stated. The Iranian president added that matters related to border security and regional peace would also be discussed during the visit.
"We believe that cross-border markets and connectivity can open new avenues for mutual cooperation," he remarked.
The Iranian President further expressed hope that bilateral trade between the two countries could be raised to $10 billion, highlighting Iran's active interest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative.
'The OBOR project offers Iran an opportunity to connect with Europe,' he noted, adding 'Attempts to undermine the Islamic unity between Pakistan and Iran will fail.'
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