Saadullah Said
Islamabad: Institute of Regional Studies in collaboration with Asian Institute of Eco-Civilization Research and Development (AIERD) organized a workshop on President Raisin’s approach to regional cooperation. Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mohammad Mudassir Tipu, spoke. Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Ramai spoke for the discussion.
In his welcoming speech, IRS President Duta Jauhar Saleem praised the policy of President Ebrahim Raisi (late). Noting that the IRS was the first organization to hold a seminar on this policy, Ambassador Jauhar pointed to Raisi’s successful diplomacy to restore relations with the UAE and Egypt and achieve rapprochement with Saudi Arabia in 2023. He also drew attention to Iran’s relations. he was always friendly and cooperative with the East, especially Pakistan, which was strengthened after the arrival of the late President Raisi to Pakistan. Emphasizing the need for a framework of multilateral cooperation, Ambassador Saleem emphasized the need to develop intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity and cooperation.
Ambassador Reza Amiri thanked the IRS for organizing the seminar and said that regional cooperation is the main agenda during the tenure of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Dr. Amir Abdollah. The 28 foreign trips of President Raisi show this very much. Ambassador Amiri said President Raisi’s visit to Pakistan was his most extensive visit as he visited three cities and met senior leaders including the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, Senate President and Army Chief. Ambassador Amiri said that the agreements signed during the visit in areas such as free trade agreements, economic cooperation and tourism development are proof of the strong brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran. He also appreciated President Raisi’s desire to prioritize regional cooperation through the SCO, Caspian Sea Summit and BRICS. Ambassador Amiri said that the new government in Iran will maintain President Raisi’s legacy and continue to develop cooperation with regional countries and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mr. Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, highlighted President Raisi’s sincere efforts to strengthen lasting cultural and economic ties with Pakistan. He explained that President Raisi and other Iranian officials respected Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. Ambassador Tipu said President Raisi’s interest in increasing bilateral trade with Pakistan to $10 billion a year and developing security cooperation with Afghanistan shows his commitment to economic cooperation and regional stability.
Major General Samrez Salik, former DG ISSRA, National Defense University, Islamabad paid tribute to President Ebrahim Raisin. Commemorating President Raisi’s achievements, Major General Salik highlighted his contribution in strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations through trade.
In conclusion, Mr. Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman of AIERD, gave details about Iran’s domestic and foreign policy under President Raisi. He also said that think tanks in Iran and Pakistan should promote President Raisi’s legacy by collaborating on research.
