Iranian president meets top leaders of Pakistan in Islamabad

Islamabad
After spending a few hours in Lahore on the first leg of his two-day visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad later in the day on Saturday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar received the Iranian president at Noor Khan Air Base. A 21-gun salute was presented to the visiting dignitary.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a high-level Iranian delegation is also accompanying the Iranian president.
Earlier in the day in Lahore, President Pezeshkian paid homage to Pakistan’s national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal by laying a wreath at his mausoleum in Lahore.
Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, President Pezeshkian observed a moment of reflection at the historic site. The dignitaries also recorded their impressions in the visitors’ book.
President Pezeshkian arrived in Lahore earlier in the day on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, along with a high-level delegation. He was warmly received at the airport by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, and senior provincial officials.
Upon arrival, children presented bouquets to the Iranian leader, who expressed sympathy and gratitude toward them for their warm welcome. Security in Lahore was tightened in light of the visit, with major roads leading to the Iqbal Mausoleum and government guesthouses under strict surveillance.
According to the schedule, a state banquet will be held in his honour later today.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Lahore on Saturday afternoon where PML-N President and former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz received the distinguished guest.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the trade relations between Tehran and Islamabad are strong, emphasizing the plan to elevate their annual trade exchanges to $10 billion.
Prior to his departure for Pakistan, Pezeshkian said on Saturday that Tehran and Islamabd have enjoyed good, friendly, and deep-rooted relations since the establishment of Pakistan, reported IRNA news agency.
The two countries cooperate in economic, scientific, cultural, and border areas, and a deep bond exists between the people of both sides, he said.
Pezeshkian highlighted that during the recent aggression by the Israeli regime and the US against Iran’s soil, Pakistan was among the countries that strongly condemned this aggression and declared its readiness to provide any necessary support for Iran’s territorial integrity, as well as for the government and people of Iran.