Iranian President’s Visit to Pakistan Aims to Strengthen Diplomatic Relations
Published on: April 30, 2024.
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April 21, 2024 10:37 pm | Updated 10:37 pm IST – Islamabad
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Islamabad on April 22 to meet with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, as both countries aim to mend ties following recent cross-border attacks. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced the visit, stating that Mr. Raisi will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the foreign minister and a large business delegation.
The January missile strikes in the Balochistan region, which is split between Iran and Pakistan, heightened tensions in the already inflamed region due to the Israel-Hamas war. Tehran carried out the strikes against an anti-Iran group in Pakistan while also targeting Iraq and Syria. In response, Pakistan conducted a raid on militant targets in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province.
Both nations have accused each other in the past of harboring militants. However, a recent visit to Islamabad by Tehran’s foreign minister resulted in improvements in dialogue and the installation of liaison officers in both countries. The Sistan-Balochistan province has long dealt with unrest involving cross-border drug smuggling gangs, Baloch rebels, and Muslim extremists.
During the visit, President Raisi will also travel to Lahore and Karachi to meet with provincial leaders. The two countries aim to strengthen ties and cooperate in areas such as trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts. Pakistan is particularly relying on a joint gas project with Iran to address its long-standing power crisis, which has been impeding economic growth.
The $7.5 billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, intended to supply Pakistani power plants, was inaugurated in March 2013 but faced stagnation due to international sanctions on Iran. Iran has completed its section of the 1,800-kilometer pipeline, which will eventually connect South Pars gas fields to Nawabshah, a city near Karachi in Pakistan. In February, Pakistan’s caretaker government approved the construction of an 80-kilometer section of the pipeline to avoid penalties for years of delays. However, the US has warned Pakistan of potential sanctions, as it does not support the pipeline’s progress.
