ISLAMABAD: April 22, 2024: Iran and Pakistan have decided to make joint efforts to fight out terrorism and among 8 agreements signed here during the visit of Iranian president ,Dr Ebrahim Raisi, is relating to have a joint mechanism to struggle jointly to eliminate terrorism from bordering areas of both countries.
On April 22, Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, arrived in Islamabad on his 3-day officials visit. President Raisi’s visit to Pakistan is of extraordinary significance. Iranian president is visiting Pakistan at a time when Iran-Israel stand- off is continuing and Israel is continuing genocide of innocent Palestinians. The visit will help top leadership to have each other ‘s understanding on Israel’s war on Gaza and at the same time help both countries address those issues which are considered irritants in promotion of bilateral ties between Tehran and Islamabad. On his arrival at Islamabad airport this morning, Iranian president was accorded red carpet welcome. The visiting president was welcome by prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House where he was given salute by the armed troops.
Later, the visiting president and prime minister witnessed agreements signing between the two countries. Both leaders also held a joint press conference after closely of agreements singing ceremony.
The two leaders expressed serious concern over failure of UNSC in stopping Israel from killing of innocent Palestinians and they urged for immediate end to Israel’s aggression in Gaza. Iranian president appreciated the people of Pakistan for taking a bold stance against Israel’s war in Gaza and said I salute to Pakistani nation for their courageous support for the people of Gaza. Iranian president thanked for extending him warm welcome on his arrival in Pakistan. He said Pakistan and Iran have great potential and their mutual trade will be increased to $ 10 billion per annum.
Pakistan and Iran are worst victims of terrorism. The boarder area between Iran and Pakistan is breeding terror for decades and the terrorists who have their base close to Iran and Pakistan operate any time to hit their targets. In the recent past , terrorists activities in bordering areas of Iran and Pakistan have increased manifold. These terrorists activities carried out by banned outfits is a major concern for Iran and Pakistan. In the given situation, working out some joint mechanism to eliminate terrorists network from bordering area of Iran and Pakistan is a crucial top of discussion between visiting Iranian president , Dr Ebrahim Raisi, and Pakistan’s top leadership.
Pakistan and Iran have signed also an agreement to setup joint trade zone at a mutually agreed sites close to Iran –Pakistan border to address the issue of smuggling . Trade between Iran and Pakistan is adversely affected by cross border smuggling . The official statistics of Pakistan confirm that volume of smuggling from Iran into Pakistan is in billions of dollars and its on the rise. Smuggling of oil and other products from Iran into Pakistan is badly hurting the latter’s economy. Both Iran and Pakistan are desirous of plugging loopholes in mutual border trade and put an end to culture of smuggling between the two countries. Pakistan and Iran also signed agreements for mutual cooperation for addressing other irritating issues like drug and arms smuggling from Iran and Pakistan border. Pakistan and Iran also signed agreement for sharing and promoting film between the two countries. The two countries also agreed to harness mutual potential for film production, protection of animal and vetenrary medicines.
Iranian president will also meet Pakistan’s military leadership sometime today and then leave for Lahore and Karachi on last leg of his visit to Pakistan.
