TEHRAN- A Pakistani strategic researcher has highlighted the recent visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan as a significant development in the longstanding interactions between the two neighboring countries.

The researcher emphasized that the smart diplomacy of Tehran and Islamabad is aimed at protecting bilateral relations and people-to-people connections.

Reema Shaukat, Communication Strategist at Institute of Regional Studies, wrote in a note in the Pakistani newspaper “The Nation” that the naming of a street in a prominent area of Islamabad after Iran during Ayatollah Raisi’s visit is a unique step, as it is the first time a street in the capital of Pakistan has been named after a country rather than an individual.

The researcher mentioned the importance of Ayatollah Raisi’s visit to Pakistan, the first in eight years, especially in the context of Iran’s retaliatory actions against Israel and the threat of terrorism that has led to insecurity along the shared borders.

She noted that tangible agreements were observed during the meetings between President Raisi and Pakistani political and military leaders, emphasizing the need for both countries to elevate economic and trade relations to the highest level. However, removing obstacles in the path of expanding cooperation requires coordinated steps from both countries.

The researcher stated that Ayatollah Raisi’s visit took place as Pakistan recently announced its decision to advance a joint gas project, despite opposition from the Americans. 

It appears that the Pakistani government is determined to build a pipeline on its soil and is diligently pursuing sanctions exemptions from Washington.

Shaukat described Ayatollah Raisi’s visit to Pakistan as “significant” given the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the dangerous adventures of the Zionist regime. 

She emphasized that countries with a strong economy can play a more effective role in geopolitics. Given the current situation in the West Asia, where Palestinians are brutally slaughtered by Israel, there is concrete evidence to strengthen the economies of Muslim countries to play a fundamental role in global politics.

Highlighting the importance of people-to-people, cultural, and social interactions between the two countries, she mentioned that Iranians have a special respect for Allama Iqbal, and several streets in Tehran and other Iranian cities are named after Allama Iqbal, Muhammad Ali Jinnah (the founder of Pakistan), and the name of Pakistan.

The Pakistani researcher, referring to the current cooperation between the two countries in defense, border security, naval forces, and counter-terrorism, stated that to strengthen people-to-people ties, tourism and cultural interactions should also be expanded.

Heading a high-profile delegation, Raisi concluded his visits to Pakistani cities of Lahore and Karachi and departed for Sri Lanka. 

President Raisi, in his first foreign trip of the Iranian new year, arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday morning.

Iranian and Pakistani officials also signed 8 memorandums of cooperation in the presence of the authorities of the two countries.

During a meeting with Pakistani elites in Islamabad, Ayatollah Raisi considered the will of the two neighbors for the development of relations in all political, economic, commercial, scientific and technological, and cultural fields. 

He also stated, “We hope to witness growth and development in Iran-Pakistan relations after this trip.”