ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Pakistan on Monday on a three-day official visit the first of its kind by any head of state after the February 8 general elections.

The Foreign Office (FO) said Raisi arrived at the Islamabad airport and was received by Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu.

“The Iranian president is accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the foreign minister and other members of the cabinet and senior officials,” it said.

Iran’s news agency IRNA said that Raisi’s visit was taking place at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari.

“President Raisi will visit several Pakistani cities to meet with a number of ulema, elites and business persons there. A visit to Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, is also among the president’s plans,” it said.

According to Radio Pakistan, Raisi will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today while there will also be a round of delegation level talks between the two countries.

“Upon arrival at the Prime Minister House, guard of honor will be presented to the visiting dignitary,” the report said.

The Iranian president and PM Shehbaz will plant a sapling in the Prime Minister’s House on the occasion of Earth Day, it said, adding that they would also attend the signing ceremony of memorandums of understanding between the two countries for cooperation in various fields.

“The two leaders will participate in a ceremony regarding naming a highway in Islamabad as Iran Avenue. They will also hold a press talk,” Radio Pakistan said, adding that the prime minister would also host a lunch for the Iranian president and his delegation