Iranian President Raisi to visit Pakistan soon, confirms Shehbaz Sharif

Tehran: Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Pakistan in the near future, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday.

This move comes as the two Muslim-majority nations aim to mend their relationship following a series of missile strikes earlier this year targeting what they described as militant sites.

The missile strikes had raised concerns about broader regional instability, especially after the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7.

As the United States and its allies prepare to impose new sanctions on Iran for its recent attack on Israel, efforts are also underway to prevent further escalation between the two adversaries.

A statement from Sharif's office, issued after a cabinet meeting, confirmed the upcoming visit by Raisi. Earlier indications from Pakistan had also hinted at the visit taking place soon, reported Reuters.

Geo News reported that Raisi is expected to arrive in Pakistan on April 22, citing insider sources. However, Pakistan's foreign office did not provide a comment on this report.

Despite a history of strained relations, the recent missile strikes marked the most serious escalation between Iran and Pakistan in years. However, both nations quickly moved to defuse tensions, affirming their commitment to respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also pledging to enhance security cooperation.

Pakistan has consistently urged all parties in the Middle East to exercise restraint and work towards de-escalation.

In a related development highlighting improved ties in the Middle East, Sharif's office announced that Saudi Arabia would be making significant investments in Pakistan. This follows a recent visit to Pakistan by the Saudi foreign minister.