President Iran Visit to Pakistan – Between March 2016 and April 2024 – Lets See the Change – by Tazeen Akhtar

Tazeen Akhtar

After the high level visit of Saudi Foreign Minister  Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saudto Islamabad in reciprocation of the visits of CAOS Gen Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz including their meetings with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman , now President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi is due in Islamabad on 22 April. In the meanwhile Turkish Chief of Turkish General Staff, General Metin Gurak was in Islamabad for two days where he had meetings with President Zardari and Commanders of all three wings. These are multiple high level visits but the visit of President Iran has its own extraordinary  significance.

Relations between the two countries are rooted in a long history of mutual trust, based on cultural, linguistic and religious bonds.The visit of the President will further deepen the existing fraternal ties between the two countries. Pakistani people are looking forward to their decision makers that when they pave the way for import of Irani petrol, fuel gas, diesel, electricity through proper channels for market supply. Pakistanis are fed up of inflated prices of these utilities and they are bound to spend major share of their income to buy these necessities that are available from Iran on reasonable rates.

Electricity, Gas, Petrol – Everything on Border of Iran – What are the Hurdles for Pakistan?

Pakistan with Saudia, Iran and Turkiye the 3 very important countries of the region is connected closely in these most critical days when Israel is committing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Iran is the only country in the regions and in the world that made Israel learn a lesson that neither it is impregnable nor its so called Dome is unbreakable. Islamic as well as peace loving non Islamic world , both hold Iran in high esteem for his taking the Bull from the Horns.

Iran has attacked back Israel in retaliation to Israeli attack on Irani Embassy in Damascus. International laws allow Iran to reciprocate. In Pakistan, the public has hailed Irani attack of Israel. Therefore an exemplary welcome not only by the government but the people of Pakistan is also expected for President Iran.

President’s visit is of high importance for another reason that both countries experienced the lowest and the highest level of diplomatic , political relations couple of months ago within a short span of time that is one week only.

Iran held surgical strike in Pakistani side to what Iran claimed the terrorists involved in suicide attack in the funeral of General Suleimani while Pakistan retaliated the same way to target what Pakistan claimed Baloch separatists. Astonishingly as well as Pleasantly , both countries conciliated and restored their relations to more than normal.

Pakistan for Enhancing Counter Terror, Trade, Energy Cooperation, Road, Rail Connectivity with Iran

Foreign Office of Pakistan has shared the curtain raiser of the visit of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi.

President Raisi will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from 22 to 24 April 2024. This will be the first visit by any Head of State to Pakistan after the general elections in February 2024.

The Iranian President will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the cabinet, senior officials as well as a large business delegation.

During the visit, President Raisi will meet the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Senate and Speaker, National Assembly. He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership.

The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts. They will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism.

Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations.

IRANI PETROL & GAS FOR PAKISTAN ? AFTER CHINA SUPPORTED RECONCILIATION WITH SAUDIA?

The last visit of any Irani President was in 2016 on March 25-26 on the invitation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It was unfortunate that as soon as Dr Hassan Rouhani arrived in Islamabad the media broke the news of capture of Indian agent Kulbhushan Yadev with detail that he was arrested in Balochistan when he entered through Iran border on fake Pakistani passport. This “breaking news” broke the trust that was aimed by the two leaders to build in this visit. The rest is the history. It is hoped here this time , that type of scene will not be created.

The then President Dr Rouhani was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Ministers, senior officials and businessmen.  The Leadership of both sides were about to  exchange  views on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly after lifting of the sanctions on Iran that opened new avenues for enhancing economic interaction.

But the visit could not brought the results because of the breaking news of Kulbhushan. Nawaz government was already destabilized by sit inn and agitations of PTI since Aug 2014. Pakistani political observers hold the then Military establishment responsible for all this mess created only to bring Imran Khan in the Prime Minister House. General Raheel Sharif was COAS at that time while Lt Gen Pasha was DG ISI and the later was looking after the matters discussed here more than the then COAS.

Incumbent civil military establishments have close relations with Irani leadership. PM Shehbaz is brother of Nawaz. Both have many meetings with Irani leaders. Shehbaz has interactions with President Dr Raisi while COAS Gen Asim Munir visited Tehran in the end of last year. COAS had discussions  high level there including President Dr Raisi. President Zardari visited Iran in the last days of his previous Presidency to inaugurate a joint venture, that too could not be fully implemented.

Finally, there are very good relations with Iran at all sides, civil military, Prime Minister House, Presidency, GHQ , that meas from all power houses. that is the change between March 2016 and April 2024 visits of Presidents of Iran. It means we can hope and we can see the change in the welcome as well and there will be no breaking news this time except whole Pakistan at welcome mode and leap forward to enhancing trust , cooperation only.

H.E Mohammad Ali Hosseini: Iran Ready to Supply Gas & Electricity to Pakistan – Flights Should be Increased – Important Energy Project will be Accomplished Soon