Iran, Pakistan set to promote ties during Raisi’s visit to Islamabad

Ebrahim Raisi, who is in Islamabad at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, made the remarks in a joint press conference on Monday with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Raisi told the media that the Political interactions between Iran and Pakistan have been below expectations, “So we have decided to improve the relations in the political, economic and commercial, cultural fields at all levels.”

He also said both countries have similar positions in fighting terrorism and drugs, and boosting border security.

Many Iranian security forces have fell victim to terrorist attacks by Pakistan-based militants, who have been a source of spat between the two countries.

The Pakistani premier, welcomed President Raisi in Iran’s official language Persian, saying he was pleased to meet the first high-ranking foreign official since the new administration took office in Islamabad in February.

Meanwhile, both sides called on the international community, especially the Muslim world, to stand up for the people of Gaza amid the months-long Israeli carnage in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The Iranian president arrived in Pakistan’s capital earlier on Monday at the head of high-ranking delegation to shore up bilateral relations in several areas, with trade high on the agenda.

President Raisi was welcomed by the country’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad.

Upon arrival, the Iranian president said the two countries were “more than mere neighbors.”

He said, “Although the strengthening of the Iran-Pakistan relations is not desired by some foreigners, considering the diverse, numerous and mutually existing capacities of the two Islamic countries, their relations should be further expanded in order to secure the interests of the two nations.”