ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday jointly inaugurated the newly-constructed portion of 11th Avenue after renaming it as Iran Avenue.

Islamabad already has several roads named after foreign dignitaries. These include Faisal Avenue after former Saudi king Shah Faisal, Attaturk Avenue after Turkish hero Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Roads were also named after Chinese leader Zhou Enlai and former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser while there is also Japan Road.

Earlier on Sunday, the federal government renamed 11the Avenue as Iran Avenue. This road has two portions – one from D-12 to E-11 which has been constructed and the remaining seven km from E-11 to Karnal Sher Khan Avenue (formerly I.J. Principal Road) is yet to be constructed. But the entire road has been named as Iran Avenue. President Raisi and Mr Sharif at a function held at the PM Office opened the plaque of Iran Avenue.

Sources said the federal government had directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to start work on the remaining portion of the road as soon as possible. The engineering wing on Monday decided to take up the matter with the CDA board in its meeting to be held on Tuesday (today) for its approval to hire a consultant.

CDA directed to start work on incomplete portion of road; Iranian president’s wife visits Numl, awarded honorary PhD degree

The consultant will prepare the design of the road and then the civic agency will go for floating tenders. The portion 5.5km portion of the road, which was inaugurated on Monday, is linked with Margalla Road near D-12 and E-11 and the interchange of E-11 is also part of the project.

As per its alignment, 11th Avenue starts from Karnal Sher Khan Avenue and culminates at its linking point of Margalla Road.

Work on the 5.5km road worth around Rs4 billion, including an interchange, was started in December 2022 and expected to complete by January 31 this year. However, its completion saw some delay and has been completed now.

Iranian president’s wife visits Numl

Dr Jamileh-Sadat Alamolhoda, wife of the Iranian president, visited National University of Modern Languages (Numl).

Numl Rector retired Maj Gen Shahid Mahmood Kayani, the university’s director general Brig Shahzad Munir, pro-rector, deans, directors and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

During her visit, the Numl rector awarded an honorary PhD degree in educational sciences to Dr Jamileh.

In her address, Dr Jamileh said Islam had enlightened the whole world with its teachings about knowledge 1,400 years ago, and knowledge without ethics had no value. She said during colonial era religious leaders of Iran and this part of the region played a significant role to keep the nations united. She admired the role of the great poet of the east Allama Iqbal and his invaluable role in preserving the Islamic message of knowledge and ethics.

Dr Jamileh also spoke at the launch of her own book ‘The Art of Living Femininely’ and said her book was being translated into Urdu as well.

She praised Numl’s role in knowledge production and dissemination and also desired to explore the possibilities of mutual academic collaboration in the fields of science and technology and languages.

She also inaugurated a cultural festival at the university and visited national and international stalls showcasing various cultures and their traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, the Numl rector said Pakistan and Iran were enjoying historic, brotherly and mutually trusted relations and both countries had deep-rooted people-to-people relations.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2024