Pakistan renames Islamabad's new highway as Iran Avenue ahead of Raisi's visit

ISLAMABAD: As a gesture to show to solidarity with Iran, Pakistan has decided to name a new highway of Islamabad after the name of the brotherly country, The News reported Monday. 

The decision comes ahead of Iranian President Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi's official visit to Pakistan from April 22 to 24, marking it the first visit of any head-of-state since the February 8 general elections.

According to the sources, the federal government has decided to change the name of Eleventh Avenue to Iran Avenue. The cabinet accorded the decision on the Capital Development Authority (CDA) summary through circulation. 

It should be noted that the construction of Eleventh Avenue was started by the CDA. 

In phase one, it has been extended from Sector D-12 to E-11 North-East corner, where an interchange has also been constructed on the Khayaban Iqbal. In phase two, it will be extended up to IJ Principal Road.

President Raisi's visit

In a major diplomatic development, the Iranian president is arriving in Islamabad today on a three-day official visit to Pakistan.

Raisi will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation, comprising the foreign minister and other members of the cabinet, senior officials and a large business delegation.

During the visit, President Raisi will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership.

The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields, including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture and people-to-people contacts.

Leaders from both sides will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism.