Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan in Iran on 1st historic visit

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, center & his accompanying
delegation arrive in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad
on April 21, 2019. (Photo by Fars news agency)

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has started his first historic visit to Iran following arrival in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.

Heading a high-ranking political and economic delegation, Khan was welcomed by Governor General of Razavi Khorasan Province Alireza Razm Hosseini and a number of provincial officials upon his arrival at Shahid Hasheminejad international airport on Sunday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (2nd L) talks to Governor of Razavi Khorasan Province Alireza Razm Hosseini in the Iranian city of Mashhad on April 21, 2019. (Photo by Fars news agency)

Following his meeting with the governor general of Razavi Khorasan Province, Pakistani premier paid a visit to the holy shrine of Imam Reza, the 8th Shia Imam, before his flight to capital Tehran, which is scheduled to take place later in the day.

In his visit to Imam Reza’s holy shrine, the Pakistani prime minister also met and conferred with Hojjatoleslam Sheikh Ahmad Marvi, the current custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi, an organization that manages the holy shrine.

During his two-day stay in Tehran, the premier is to hold talks with senior Iranian officials on ways to further strengthen bilateral ties in diverse fields.

Experts believe that Khan's visit to Iran, which is taking place at the official invitation of President Hassan Rouhani, can lead to the expansion of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fight against terrorism and border security.

In a Thursday meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad Mahdi Honardoost, the Pakistani prime minister said the ties with Iran were of great significance, and he will seek closer relations between the two neighbors during his upcoming visit to the Islamic Republic.

PressTV-Pakistan's Khan stresses closer ties ahead of Iran visit

Pakistan’s prime minister says his Sunday visit to Iran will be aimed at boosting bilateral ties between the two neighbors.

“Pakistan attaches great significance to its neighbors, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran, which shares many interests and commonalities with Pakistan,” the prime minister said.

Raeisi stresses need for keeping Palestinian issue alive

TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (MNA) –The Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi stressed the issue of Palestine as the most important issue of the Muslim World and condemned US’ intention to keep economic pressure on Tehran.

Center of Supervision on Mosques Affairs and presence of Imams and clerics of Tehran at Islamic Culture and Relations Organization held the 16th International Conference on World Mosque Day in Tehran. 

Raeisi, the Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi and prominent preacher of this conference emphasized on the role of mosques as the fort and symbol of resistance for Muslims community. 

He mentioned the issue of Al- Aqsa mosque as the most important issue of the Muslim World and asked for keeping alive the issue of Al-Aqsa till its liberation from Zionist regime. 

“The Deal of Century theory is not a new phenomenon. Youth have to know the history of Palestine. They (Zionist regime and US) want some parts of Sina Desert of Egypt through the support of Saudi Arabia in order to construct towns for Palestinians. They want to displace and transplant about five million Palestinians to other countries in order to undermine the issue of Palestine as the land of all Muslims”, Raeisi said.

He emphasized "US, GB and their supporters have to know that they are the only losers of this deal.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said “our Leader believes that no war will happen against Iran, since enemy’s strategy had been failed before, during the eight years of Iran–Iraq war. That’s why they keep pressure on Iran to negotiate in order to undermine the regional penetration of Iran”.

The previous presidency candidate of Iran pointed to internal roots of economic problems of Iran and asked for economic change and development in the country, in addition to inviting youth to participate in various aspects of the Iranian economic field, as the best way for challenging US economic pressure.

He criticized secular approach to mosques and condemned intentions for keeping mosques far apart from politics, saying enemy is no longer able to propagate secularism in our community."