Punjab declared a public holiday in Lahore on Tuesday, April 23, joining Sindh in facilitating the general public and commuters during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit.
President Raisi, who arrived in Islamabad on April 22 for a three-day visit, will be in Lahore on the same day. His arrival in Pakistan, amid heightened security, marks an effort to improve relations following military tensions earlier this year.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced that President Raisi is accompanied by his wife, the foreign minister, cabinet members, and senior officials. According to the ministry, this visit will include meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and visits to Lahore and Karachi.
In Islamabad, major highways were closed for security preparations, and Karachi also observed a public holiday.
The visit is seen as pivotal in restoring normal relations with Islamabad. The Sindh government previously declared April 23 as a public holiday in Karachi to minimize public inconvenience due to the presence of international delegates, including President Raisi.
Read: Karachi Declares Public Holiday on April 23 for Iranian President’s Visit
The Foreign Office detailed that Raisi’s trip, from April 22 to April 24, includes a significant entourage and engagements in major cities, aiming to foster stronger bilateral ties.
