Iranian president pays tribute at Iqbal’s mausoleum
Staff Report
LAHORE: Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday paid homage to Pakistan’s national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal by laying a floral 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 heightened 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, while on Sunday, President Pezeshkian is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. The federal capital has been adorned with welcome banners and the national flags of both countries.
On Sunday, Dr Pezeshkian will travel to Islamabad where he will meet key leadership figures including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The two sides will hold discussions on political, economic, and regional issues.
The streets of Islamabad have been decorated with national flags of both countries, along with welcome banners. Security has been tightened ahead of the visit, and all preparations to receive the Iranian delegation have been completed.
Before departing for Pakistan, Iranian President Pezeshkian expressed optimism about strengthening economic and strategic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking to the media ahead of his departure, Pezeshkian said both countries are committed to increasing bilateral trade volume to $10 billion annually.
Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between Iran and Pakistan, the Iranian president said that relations are well-established across economic, scientific, cultural, and border sectors. He emphasized that border markets and increased people-to-people contact could open new avenues of mutual cooperation.
President Pezeshkian noted that efforts are underway to achieve the ambitious $10 billion trade target, and both sides are exploring practical measures to accelerate this goal.
On broader regional connectivity, the Iranian leader expressed his country’s desire to actively participate in Pakistan and China’s One Belt One Road project. He expressed hope that this initiative could offer Iran an opportunity to establish stronger connections with European markets.
President Pezeshkian also stressed that border security and regional peace will be key items on the agenda during his Pakistan visit. He reaffirmed that any efforts to undermine Islamic unity between Iran and Pakistan will not succeed.
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters the visit would help give a “new dimension” to relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries. He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had last visited Iran on May 26, 2025.
“This is Dr Pezeshkian’s first official visit to Pakistan. It comes at a critical time for the region. We hope it will further deepen mutual cooperation,” the spokesperson said.
Mehdi Sanai, Political Adviser to the Iranian President, said in a social media post that the visit would include meetings with cultural and business leaders in Pakistan. He emphasised that ties between the two countries cover political, economic, religious and cultural areas.
Iran and Pakistan currently have bilateral trade worth about $3 billion. Both countries are looking to increase this figure and strengthen cooperation in border provinces.
Pezeshkian is the second Iranian president to visit Pakistan in the last two years. His predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, visited Pakistan in April 2024 — one month before his death in a helicopter crash. President Pezeshkian also attended Raisi’s memorial ceremony in Tehran in May 2024, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Iranian leader’s visit to Pakistan follows months of tension in the region, including a brief conflict between Iran and Israel. Observers say the visit reflects Tehran’s renewed interest in strengthening ties with neighbouring countries amid growing international pressure and shifting alliances.
During Shehbaz Sharif’s own recent visit to Iran, both sides had agreed to enhance regional connectivity and promote trade. They also expressed concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Pakistan, which shares a long border with Iran, has repeatedly stated that it wants to play a constructive role in resolving regional disputes through diplomacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts during his meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
President Pezeshkian’s visit to boost Pak-Iran ties: Tarar
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar says Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit is highly significant and will give a boost not only to Pak-Iran trade but entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Talking to newsmen in Islamabad on Saturday, he said all out preparations have been made in the federal capital to give a warm welcome to the visiting guest.
The Minister said during the visit, the Iranian President will have meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials.
These meetings will include follow up discussions on trade agreements, joint border markets and other matters which were discussed during the visit of late Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan in April last year.
A formal luncheon and dinner will also be hosted in the honor of Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.
ICCI hosts Iranian delegation, agrees on joint exhibitions, cross-border trade initiatives
A high-level Iranian delegation led by Reza Masrour, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Saturday and held a productive meeting with ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi to explore avenues for deepening economic cooperation between the two brotherly nations.
The Iranian delegation included Mohammad Said Arbabi, Managing Director of the Chamber of Free Zones; Saeed Rabiei, Deputy Secretary of Free Zones; Ali Reza Khayyami, Director; Zahra Qadyanlo, Commercial Counsellor; Asif Ghias, Managing Director Zenith; and Ms. Faiza Hussaini.
The ICCI side was represented by Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, Chairman Founder Group Shaikh Tariq Sadiq, Executive Members Mohammad Imran Minhas, Waseem Chaudhry, and Advisor to the ICCI President, Naeem Siddiqui.
Both sides agreed to foster collaboration in trade, joint ventures, investment, and industrial cooperation, emphasizing the need for mutually beneficial economic initiatives. Reza Masrour showcased the vast potential of Iran’s free trade zones, especially the Chabahar Free Zone, and invited Pakistani businessmen for a visit to explore investment prospects.
Highlighting a major proposal, Mohammad Said Arbabi suggested the establishment of a joint border free zone between Iran and Pakistan. He revealed that Iran has already allocated a significant tract of land for this purpose and urged Pakistan to take the next step toward materializing this initiative.
He further recommended a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chabahar Free Zone and ICCI to facilitate joint expos and business cooperation.
Welcoming the delegation, ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi underlined the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Iran and emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral trade, organizing joint exhibitions, and enhancing people-to-people and business-to-business linkages.
He said Pakistan’s pharmaceutical, surgical and sports goods, minerals, pink salt, and IT services hold great potential for exports to Iran. He vowed ICCI’s active support for value addition, border trade, and cultural exchanges.
President Qureshi also extended an invitation to the Iranian side to participate in ICCI’s upcoming International Industrial Exhibition scheduled for September, encouraging them to showcase their industrial and cultural strengths.
Chairman Founder Group, Shaikh Tariq Sadiq, and Executive Members Imran Minhas and Waseem Chaudhry echoed the sentiments, reiterating the need for stronger economic bonds and greater engagement between the two countries.
In his vote of thanks, Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui appreciated the efforts of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Islamabad for fostering bilateral trade ties. He also expressed heartfelt solidarity with the families of Iranian martyrs affected by recent Israeli aggression.
The meeting concluded on a positive note with a shared resolve to accelerate bilateral trade, facilitate investment, and work jointly towards regional economic integration.
