ISLAMABAD( WNAM REPORT): Institute of Regional Studies in collaboration with Asian Institute of Eco-Civilization Research and Development (AIERD) held a memorial seminar on Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi (late) in Islamabad. Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam was the chief guest while Pakistani Ambassador to Iran, Mr. Mohammad Mudassir Tipu joined online from Tehran. The session began with the recitation of Fateha for the President Raisi (late). The session moderator and CEO AIERD, Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Ramay paid his tribute to President Raisi (late) and emphasized on increasing the cooperation between think tanks of both Pakistan and Iran.
In his welcoming address, President IRS Ambassador Jauhar Saleem hailed the ‘Neighbourhood Policy’ of President Ebrahim Raisi (late). Ambassador Jauhar pointed out that IRS was the first institution that had arranged a seminar on President Raisi’s (late) neighbourhood vision. During his tenure, Iran’s diplomatic achievements had been remarkable including revival of ties with UAE and Egypt and rapprochement with Saudi Arabia in 2023, he said. Ambassador Jauhar also highlighted that Iran’s relations towards its east, especially with Pakistan had remained cordial which were further solidified after President Raisi’s (late) visit to Pakistan. Stressing upon the need of multilateral framework, Ambassador Jauhar underlined the participation of Iran into BRICS+ and SCO during President Raisi (late) tenure as a landmark achievement for the greater Eurasian connectivity.
Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, thanked IRS for organizing the memorial event for President Ebrahim Raisi (late). He mentioned that regional cooperation was the key agenda during the tenure of President Raisi (late) and Foreign Minister Dr. Amir Abdollahian (late). It was reflected by 28 official visits that President Raisi (late) had undertaken to other states. Ambassador Amiri stressed that President Raisi’s (late) visit to Pakistan was his most extensive visit in which he visited three cities and met with top political and military leadership of the country including the President, Prime Minister, Speaker National Assembly, Chairman Senate and Army Chief. Furthermore, MoU’s related to security, free trade agreement, economic cooperation and promoting tourism were the attestation to the strong brotherly ties which both Pakistan and Iran share, Ambassador Amiri expressed. He also praised President Raisi’s (late) ambition of prioritizing regional cooperation through SCO, Caspian Sea Summit and BRICS. Ambassador Amiri assured that the new government in Iran would uphold the legacy of President Raisi (late) and continue to promote cooperation vis-à-vis regional states and Pakistan. The impediments in regional cooperation, especially the role of external powers, would be subsided, he further added.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran, Mr. Mohammad Mudassir Tipu highlighted President Raisi’s (late) dedicated efforts to bolster the enduring cultural and ideological bond with Pakistan. He explained that President Raisi (late) and other Iranian officials shared the deep sense of respect for Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. and Allama Iqbal. President Raisi’s (late) stance on increasing bilateral trade with Pakistan to $10 billion annually and his interest in fostering the
security cooperation with Afghanistan exemplified his commitment to economic cooperation and regional stability, Ambassador Tipu said.
Major General Samrez Salik, former DG ISSRA at National Defence University, Islamabad expressed his condolences and paid rich tribute to President Ebrahim Raisi (late). While mentioning President Raisi’s (late) achievements, Major General Salik particularly highlighted his contribution in consolidating Pak-Iran relations through trade.
In conclusion, Mr. Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman AIERD, appreciated the internal and external policies of Iran under President Raisi (late). He also reiterated that think tanks across Iran and Pakistan should elevate President Raisi’s (late) legacy by collaborating with each other in research.
