Iranian president touches down Pakistan, receives red carpet at Lahore airport

Lahore: Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit and received a red carpet at the Lahore airport on Saturday.

PML-N patron Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif received the Iranian president. Accompanying the Iranian president are Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a high-level delegation.

President Pezeshkian has arrived in Lahore on his first visit to Pakistan. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation. Upon his arrival, he was received by former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif, as well as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Senior officials of the Punjab government were also present on the occasion.

The Iranian delegation is scheduled to visit the mausoleum of the Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Security has been tightened across Lahore. A formal banquet will be hosted in President Pezeshkian’s honor later today.

The distinguished guest will hold meetings tomorrow in Islamabad with key dignitaries, including the President and Prime Minister. The federal capital has been decorated with welcome banners and the national flags of both countries.

It is worth noting that Masoud Pezeshkian is the second Iranian President to visit Pakistan in the past two years. This visit was originally scheduled for the last week of July.

In April 2024, former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi undertook a three-day official visit to Pakistan — a month before his tragic death in a helicopter crash. During that visit, he toured both Lahore and Karachi.