Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi landed in Lahore from Islamabad on Tuesday morning.

At the airport, he was warmly received by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her provincial cabinet members.

ایرانی صدر سید ابراہیم رئیسی لاہور پہنچ گئے
، وزیر اعلیٰ مریم نواز شریف نے علامہ اقبال ائیر پورٹ پر ایرانی صدر کا پرتپاک استقبال کیا
وزیر اعلیٰ مریم نواز شریف نے مہمانوں کو لاہور آمد پرخوش آمدید کہا
سینئر صوبائی وزیر مریم اورنگزیب، سینیٹر پرویز رشید، وزیر اطلاعات عظمیٰ زاہد… pic.twitter.com/IyyQUfNxMn
— PMLN (@pmln_org) April 23, 2024

From the airport, President Raisi went to the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal and laid a floral wreath. He also paid homage to the poet and philosopher and offered prayers. On his arrival at the mausoleum, Raisi was also presented with a guard of honour.

In another significant event on his itinerary, Dr Raisi will address students and faculty at Government College University. The president's engagement with the academic community is expected to foster dialogue and cooperation in the realm of education and research between Iran and Pakistan.

President Raisi is scheduled to visit different places of Lahore.

Also Read: Intermediate papers postponed in Lahore

Moreover, President Raisi is slated to hold separate meetings with the Punjab governor and chief minister, wherein discussions on bilateral cooperation, regional security, and economic partnerships are anticipated. At the Governor House, a luncheon will be hosted in his honour.

These meetings aim to further strengthen diplomatic relations and explore avenues for collaboration in various sectors for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Visit to GCU, Governor House

President Raisi later reached the Government College University, where he was accompanied by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat. GCU Vice Chancellor Shazia Bashir gave them a briefing about the 160-year-old historical university and a tour of various departments.

The Iranian president also addressed teachers and students at the university. He then travelled to Governor House where he was scheduled to meet Governor Balighur Rehman.

Meeting with education minister

Furthermore, Education Minister Hayat also met with President Raisi separately and welcomed him to Lahore. The two discussed Iranian cooperation with Pakistan to increase literacy rate.

The minister said Pakistan will also make full use of Iran's educational experiences, adding that the challenge of out-of-school children in Iran was negligible. "Pakistan's literacy rate will be increased while benefiting from Iran's experiences," he remarked.

The two countries will exchange educational experiences, the minister said, adding that Pak-Iran trade relations will be ideal and the two will become important educational partners also.

"Iran's cooperation will help in science and technology as well as educational development," Hayat said.

A public holiday has been announced in Lahore, with educational institutions as well as private and government institutions remaining closed today. Security has been put on high alert with various roads closed for traffic.

Banners celebrating the arrival of the Iranian president have been displayed across the city. On behalf of Anjuman-e-Tajiran, some markets, including Urdu Bazaar, will remain open.

Traffic advisory

The Lahore Traffic Police has issued an advisory regarding the arrival of the Iranian president. It says that Tuesday being a holiday in Lahore, citizens should avoid unnecessary travel, specifically on The Mall road, Jail Road, Canal Road, Main Boulevard Road.

It has also issued instructions to avoid unnecessary travel around Greater Iqbal Park, Lorry Adda and Lower Mall. A specific road will be opened for traffic due to the VVIP movement, said the Lahore chief traffic officer, adding that alternative routes will be provided to citizens during the movement.

Lahore Ring Road will be closed for traffic till 3pm on behalf of the Ring Road Authority, he said.

On Monday, the Department of Services and General Administration issued a notification declaring April 23 as a public holiday in the city. This announcement comes as a measure to facilitate the arrangements for President Raisi's visit and to ensure a smooth and welcoming environment for the esteemed guest.

Also Read: Lahore admin announces holiday

As per the notification, educational institutions and government offices throughout Lahore will remain closed on the designated day. However, the Punjab Civil Secretariat and related offices will continue their operations as usual, ensuring that essential government functions remain uninterrupted during the visit.

Also, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) postponed the intermediate exams to be held on Tuesday due to the visit. The education authorities issue a notification in this regard.

According to the controller exams, tomorrow's postponed exams will be held on May 24.