Iranian President Raisi Arrives in Karachi, Heavy Security in Place

On the third leg of his visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, accompanied by his delegation, landed in the port city of Karachi on Tuesday.

Welcoming them at the Jinnah International Airport, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah, Governor Kamran Tessori, and other officials extended a warm reception to the Iranian president and his delegation, amid stringent security measures in place to ensure their safety.

Sources revealed that apart from meetings with the governor and the chief minister, President Raisi is scheduled to address members of the business forum and attend a dinner at the CM House during his stay in Karachi. Additionally, he will pay homage to the founder of Pakistan by visiting Quaid’s mausoleum.

Thousands of policemen have been deployed on the route taken by Raisi and the places where ceremonies would be held in his honour, while a local holiday has been declared in the city.

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According to police, both sides of the Shahrah-e-Faisal track from the airport to the PIDC would be blocked. Earlier, they announced that the track would be closed from 3pm to 5pm, but later they changed the duration.

Similarly, both sides of the track from Gurumandir to Garden Signal would be blocked. Shahrah-e-Quaideen and Ziauddin Road are also blocked. Traffic would remain suspended until the visitors leave to remain in the city.

There were reports of mobile services suspended in some areas of the city.

Movenpick Hotel will be under government control from April 22nd to 24th, with all bookings during this period cancelled and shops within the hotel closed.

President Raisi’s visit commenced in Islamabad on Monday for a three-day official visit from April 22 to 24, marking the first visit by any head of state to Islamabad following the February 8 general election.

Stringent security measures, including air surveillance and temporary internet suspension during the dignitary’s movements, have been implemented to ensure his safety. To minimize inconvenience to the general public, local holidays were declared in Lahore and Karachi.