No power on earth can damage Pak-Iran 'historic' ties: President Raisi

• “Pakistan-Iran ties are historic,” says Iranian president.
• Says the bilateral ties are interconnected via history.
• “I am proud to welcome Pakistan’s long-standing friend.”

Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, who is in Pakistan on an official three-day visit, has said that no power in the world can disrupt bilateral relations between Islamabad and Tehran.

The Iranian president remarked while addressing a ceremony hosted at the Sindh Chief Minister's House during his visit to Karachi on the third leg of his trip to Pakistan.

President Raisi said the bilateral relations between the two neighbourly states are interconnected via history, culture and religion. “Pakistan-Iran ties are historic,” he added.

His remarks came as the US State Department earlier today warned against the "potential risk of sanctions" in light of the business deals between Pakistan and Iran.

After his engagements in Islamabad and Lahore, the Iranian president accompanied by a delegation, arrived in Karachi on the third leg of his visit to Pakistan.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Governor Kamran Tessori and other noted members of the provincial cabinet extended a warm welcome to the visiting dignitaries upon their arrival at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

President Asif Ali Zardari’s daughter, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto, was also present at the airport to welcome the visiting dignitaries.

Strict security measures were in place at the airport and its surrounding areas to avoid any untoward incident.

Later, President Raisi visited Quaid's mausoleum and paid his respects to the founder of Pakistan.

After visiting the Quaid's mausoleum, the Iranian president met the Sindh governor at the CM House. They discussed various issues, including matters of mutual interest during the meeting.

Both officials agreed to increase cultural exchanges between the two countries.

“Pakistan and Iran have historical relations,” said the Sindh governor. While the Iranian president thanked Governor Tessori for the warm welcome and excellent hospitality.

Addressing the ceremony held at the CM house in honour of the Iranian president, CM Shah said: “I am proud to welcome Pakistan’s long-standing friend.”

The CM said that he welcomed the president on behalf of the people of Sindh.

Pakistan and Iran have supported each other wholeheartedly, he said, adding that PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto always gave importance to Islamabad’s relations with Tehran.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also called on the Iranian president at the CM House.

Iranian president conferred honorary PhD degree

In recognition of his services for further bolstering ties between the two nations, Sindh Governor Tessori, being the chancellor of the University of Karachi, awarded an honorary degree of doctorate in philosophy (PhD) to the Iranian president.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said: “It is an honour for the University of Karachi to confer the honourary degree on the Iranian president.”

Stressing the need for the ideal relationship among the Muslim countries, the governor said that he wanted to further strengthen ties between Pakistan and Iran.

He invited the Iranian business community to invest in Pakistan and take advantage of a favourable and business-friendly environment in the country.

He wished Iranian investors to join the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) projects.

The Iranian president touched down in Islamabad on Monday on a three-day official visit from April 22 to 24. Raisi's visit is the first by any head of state to Islamabad after the February 8 general election.

Strict security measures have been taken, including air surveillance along with temporary internet suspension during the dignitary's movement. To avoid the consequent inconvenience to the general public, the provincial governments announced a local holiday in Lahore and Karachi.