Iranian president Pezeshkian to arrive in Pakistan today on official visit
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will arrive in Pakistan today (Tuesday) on an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During his visit, he will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold talks with PM Shehbaz, according to the Foreign Office. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will call on the visiting dignitary. “This will be Dr Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan in his capacity as president of Iran,” the FO said. It said the visit would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity. It also termed the visit an “important opportunity to discuss ongoing diplomatic engagements following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest”. “The forthcoming visit reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran to further deepen their historic and cultural ties and underscores their common aspiration for peace, stability, and sustainable progress in the region,” the FO added. Security arrangements All bus terminals operating in the capital were closed on Monday night as a security measure in view of the arrival of the Iranian president. Officials of the capital administration and police said that the capital police, under directives from the capital administration, approached the managements of bus terminals in the capital, including those at Faizabad and Chongi No 26, and asked them to shut down their operations before midnight. The managers were further asked to suspend their operations on Tuesday. The terminals will remain closed until the departure of the Iranian president. Besides, the Islamabad Red Zone has also been sealed as a security measure. Entry will be allowed only to concern