KARACHI: The first Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, His Excellency M Ali Nasr, accompanied by his wife and 4-year-old grandson, arrived at the Karachi Harbour … on Saturday [April 23]. Special arrangements were made for the reception of the … Ambassador … and policemen stood guard on either side of the road from the harbour to the Iranian Embassy. … The Iranian Ambassador told Pressmen that he had brought a wealth of goodwill from the Shah and the people of Iran for the people of Pakistan. Both the people and the Shah of Iran considered Pakistanis as their brethren.

He said he was extremely happy to come to the country which had the best of names — Pakistan meaning the land of purity. It was a pleasant duty, he observed, to strive for the strengthening of the ties of friendship, love and brotherhood between Pakistan and Iran. He further said that he will do his utmost to promote cultural, commercial and all possible relations between the two friendly neighbouring countries. The Ambassador, when asked about the communist activities in Iran, replied: “I do not want to say anything.”

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2024