Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi is scheduled to visit Pakistan on April 22, according to sources reported by Geo News. This visit comes amid escalating tensions in the region following Iran’s recent drone and missile strikes on Israeli territory. Raisi will be accompanied by a high-level delegation and is expected to hold meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and military leaders during his visit.
The strikes by Iran were reportedly in retaliation to an Israeli airstrike on its Damascus consulate, which resulted in casualties including senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Despite this recent escalation, both Islamabad and Tehran have reached agreements regarding President Raisi’s visit, indicating ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Earlier this year, relations between the two countries soured after Pakistan responded to Tehran’s cross-border strikes by carrying out precision strikes within Iranian territory. This led to Pakistan withdrawing its ambassador from Iran and temporarily halting the return of the Iranian envoy as a protest against the violation of its sovereignty. However, diplomatic ties were eventually restored, with ambassadors from both countries returning to their posts.
The agenda for President Raisi’s visit reportedly includes discussions on bilateral ties, security cooperation, the gas pipeline project, and the possibility of a free trade agreement. This visit holds significance as Pakistan and Iran share important economic interests, particularly concerning the Pak-Iran gas pipeline.
Additionally, Iran has announced its intention to release Pakistani nationals stranded on a ship seized by Iranian forces. This decision underscores the strong bilateral ties between the two countries, with Iran awaiting confirmation of the individuals’ nationalities before completing the necessary legal procedures for their release.