- Punjab CM stresses close engagement for mutual benefit and prosperity
- President Raisi visits Iqbal’s mausoleum, lays floral wreath and offers fateha
LAHORE: The unbreakable bond between Pakistan and Iran spans over decades and we want to take the bilateral relations and cooperation, especially in the fields of agriculture and industry, to new heights, said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed the views during meetings with the visiting Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi and First Lady Jamila Alamul Huda in Governor’s House.
The Punjab CM apprised the Iranian president of the measures taken in the province for socio-economic development, and expressed the desire for close engagement with Iranian cities and provinces for “mutual benefit and prosperity”.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that Punjab offers excellent investment opportunities in the environment-friendly green energy sector. “We are willing to work with Iran on economic projects to eradicate poverty and bring about prosperity,” she emphasized.
The Chief Minister said that her government would welcome Iran’s investment in Punjab’s value-added livestock market, stressing that both countries could earn huge foreign exchange by establishing FMD zones to export halal meat.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif warmly welcomed the Iranian President and other members of his delegation on their visit to Lahore. A lunch was also hosted in their honor, where the Iranian guests were entertained with the traditional cuisines.
On the occasion, both the Iranian president and CM Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cultural exchanges and fostering people-to-people contacts.
The Punjab chief minister thanked Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi and First Lady Jamila Alamul Huda for their visit to Lahore. She also congratulated them on the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the people of Iran.
The Iranian President and the First Lady thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the warm welcome.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senator Pervez Rasheed, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rahman, Minister for Secondary Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Minister for Industries Chaudhry Shafey Hussain, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Iranian Consul General in Lahore Mehran Mawahid Far and other relevant officers attended the meetings.
Later, Iranian President Raisi met Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman at the Governor House where they discussed matters of mutual interest, Radio Pakistan reported.
Governor Rehman also hosted a luncheon in honour of the president and his delegation, the report said.
Earlier, the Iranian president paid a visit to Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum, where he laid a floral wreath and offered fateha.
Speaking on the occasion, Raisi said he did not “feel like a stranger at all”, adding that there were “special emotions and connection” with Pakistani people that kept the two nations connected.
“I wanted that a public rally be held so I could address the public but due to some reasons, the conditionalities were such that it could not be made possible,” he said.
“On behalf of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I say my greetings to the people of Pakistan and Lahore,” Raisi said, appreciating the “revolutionary spirit” present in the people here.
The Iranian president highlighted that Allama Iqbal was an extremely important personality for Iran as he was a very inspirational person. He also praised the Pakistani people and government for the “stance taken with us (Iran) in a strong manner against Zionist forces”.
According to Radio Pakistan, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, the khateeb of Badshahi Mosque, offered special prayers for the enhancement of Pak-Iran relations and for the Palestinians in Gaza.
Raisi penned his admiration for Allama Iqbal’s literary legacy in the visitors’ book, the report said, adding that he was also briefed on the ongoing restoration efforts at Lahore’s historical sites, particularly within the Old Walled City.
CM Welcomes Iranian President at Lahore Airport
Earlier, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif warmly welcomed Iranian President Syed Ibrahim Raisi upon arrival Allama Iqbal Airport with his delegation.
Federal Minister-in-waiting Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb accompanied the Chief Minister. Senator Pervez Rasheed, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rahman, Provincial Minister for Secondary Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Provincial Minister for Industries Chaudhry Shafey Hussain, Chief Secretary Zahid Zaman, Inspector General Police Dr Usman Anwar, Iranian Consul General in Lahore Mehran Mawahid Far and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.
