Iranian President Raisi accorded warm welcome at Lahore airport

LAHORE (APP) - President of Iran Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday reached Lahore on the second leg of his three-day official visit to Pakistan.

President Raisi was received warmly by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif who presented a bouquet to the distinguished dignitary upon arrival at the Lahore airport. Senior Provincial Minister Murriyum Aurangzeb besides Provincial Ministers Uzma Bokhari, Bilal Yasin and Khawaja Salman Rafique were also present.

Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhter Zaman, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar and Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa accompanied the chief minister. President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising ministers and businessmen is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan. The dignitary is scheduled to spend a busy day in the provincial metropolis.

Raisi pays respects at Iqbal’s mausoleum

President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi paid a visit to the mausoleum of Poet of the East Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal during his visit to the historic city of Lahore on Tuesday. President Raisi laid a floral wreath at the grave of the great poet and philosopher, and offered Fateha. A smartly turned out contingent of the Rangers presented guard of honour to the distinguished dignitary. 

Recording impressions in the visitor’s book at Iqbal’s mausoleum, Dr Raisi hailed Dr Muhammad Iqbal as a common chapter in the deep and historic bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan.

“Islamic Republic of Iran’s supreme leader termed Allama Iqbal as the ‘Brightest Star of the East’ and I am pleased to pay my respects at the mausoleum of a Muslim scholar and standard-bearer of unity among the Muslim Ummah. I salute the spirit of this great person,” the Iranian President wrote. Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal is held high esteem in Iran for his poetic works in Persian language and is lovingly called ‘Iqbal Lahori’ (Iqbal of Lahore) by the Iranians.