Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi visits Islamabad amid tensions
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Islamabad on Monday to meet with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, marking a significant step in efforts to rebuild relations between the two nations following this year’s deadly cross-border strikes. The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions exacerbated by the Israel-Hamas conflict and recent missile exchanges between Iran and Pakistan.
Accompanying President Ebrahim Raisi will be a high-level delegation comprising the foreign minister and a substantial business delegation, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
The recent escalations stemmed from tit-for-tat missile strikes in January along the porous border province of Balochistan, which straddles both countries. Iran’s strikes were directed at a Pakistani anti-Iranian group, prompting Pakistan to respond with attacks on militant targets in Sistan-Balochistan, a predominantly Sunni Muslim region within Iran.
Historically, both nations have accused each other of providing sanctuary to extremists, contributing to strained relations.
Following a visit by Iran’s foreign minister to Islamabad, both governments agreed to enhance communication and establish liaison staff to improve bilateral ties and address shared concerns.
The visit of President Raisi includes engagements with provincial leaders in Karachi and Lahore, focusing on areas of cooperation such as trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts.
Of particular importance is Pakistan’s reliance on an Iranian-led gas project aimed at alleviating its long-standing electricity shortage. The $7.5 billion gas pipeline project, initiated in 2013 to supply power plants in Pakistan from Iran’s South Pars gas reserves, faced delays due to international sanctions against Iran.
In a recent development, Pakistan’s departing caretaker government approved an 80-kilometer stretch of the pipeline to avoid significant fines from Iran. However, the project faces opposition from the United States, which has warned Pakistan of potential penalties for proceeding with it.
The upcoming discussions between Iranian and Pakistani leaders signify a crucial juncture in regional diplomacy, balancing economic interests with geopolitical considerations amid ongoing tensions and international scrutiny.
