Iranian president to visit Pakistan after Ramazan: envoy

LAHORE: Iranian Consul General in Lahore Mehran Mohdfar has said that Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi will come to Pakistan after Ramazan.

He expressed these thoughts during a conversation after Iftar dinner for senior journalists. He said during the visit there would also be detailed discussions on the Pak-Iran gas pipeline besides commercial and cultural agreements.

Mehran Mohdfar said that the construction of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline had resumed after some interruption.

“The work has started in Pakistan where there is no objection or obstacle,” he added.

The Iranian Consul General said that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline would not only benefit Pakistan by $5 billion in the energy sector but also help the Pakistani people to get rid of gas and electricity loadshedding in addition to further development in the industry. Mehran Mohdfar said, “We know what kind of pressure Pakistan and Iran have on this issue, but the nature of the pressure at this time is not the same as before.”

He said that he was well aware of the problems of Pakistan.

Mehran Mohdfar said that all issues would be discussed during the Iranian President's visit to Pakistan. He said that six trade markets would be opened on the Pak-Iran border, one of which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

To a question, the Iranian Consul General said that the situation that had arisen due to the fall of a rocket in Pakistani territory some time ago ended without any tension due to the wisdom of both sides.

“Now the situation is amicable. During the recent border tensions between Pakistan and Iran, a large section of the Pakistani media remained loyal to the goal of de-escalation,” he added.

The Iranian Consul General said, “I want to emphasize the point that there is an unfulfilled mission of introducing the culture, economic potential and tourist attractions of the two countries to the media of both countries.

One way to achieve this goal is the visits of media delegations of both countries and we are trying to implement it.”

Mehran Mohdfar said that Iran is the best market for Pakistani rice. In response to another question, the Iranian Consul General said that friendly relations with both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority were the same.

“The world is witnessing the brutal killing of the defenseless people of Gaza by the Zionist regime, backed by Western powers,” he added.