ISLAMABAD: A delegation of the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah) wrapped up its 12-day visit to Islamabad on Wednesday.

The three-member delegation included Dr. Mohammed Alsulami, the founding chairman of Rasanah, Ali bin Saeed Awadh Asiri, a former Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan and member of Rasanah’s Board of Trustees, and Bandar Alzamil, a researcher in Political Science at the institute.

During the visit, the delegation held meetings with Pakistani academics, newspaper editors-in-chief, channel managers, businessmen, and government officials.

The delegation also concluded agreements and signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, the Global Think Tank Network, the Regional Peace Institute, and the University of Sargodha.

The agreements have been designed to improve academic collaboration, develop joint-scholarly exchange programs, and convene joint seminars and conferences on regional and international affairs.

Dr. Alsulami and Ambassador Asiri participated in discussions – open to students and scholars – on Pak-Saudi relations, regional developments, and counterterrorism.

The former Saudi diplomat, who served in Islamabad following from 2001 to 2009, also told Arab News during an interaction that the upcoming visit of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan next month reflected the importance of the South Asian country for the Kingdom.

He also noted that the two countries needed “to work together to achieve the ambitions of the Saudi leadership which is looking forward to helping Pakistan” through “actions that would benefit the people” on both sides.

Ambassador Asiri also urged the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry to “move toward Saudi Arabia for economic cooperation” and encourage trade and technological advancement opportunities.

With the objective to boost mutual relationships between the two states, Rasanah will participate in Lahore’s International Book Fair to be held in February 2019.