Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed from Islamabad on a one-day official visit to Iran to attend the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The funeral is being held in Tehran, where leaders and dignitaries from several countries are expected to pay their respects.
The prime minister is accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.’During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to convey condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to the Iranian leadership and reaffirm Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Iran during the period of mourning.
Following his engagements in Tehran, the prime minister is scheduled to travel to Istanbul for a separate bilateral visit to Türkiye.
Iran has announced a series of funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei, with the main rites taking place in Tehran followed by processions in the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, as well as commemorative events in Iraq.
According to Iranian authorities, the funeral ceremonies are intended to demonstrate public support for the Islamic Republic following the conflict in which Khamenei was killed. Officials have said extensive arrangements, including transportation, accommodation and food, have been made to facilitate the participation of mourners from across the country.
State media quoted Qom Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohammad Saidi as saying that a large public turnout at the funeral procession would serve as a demonstration of support for the Islamic Republic.
Khamenei’s death, and the reported succession of his son Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader, marks a significant moment in the country’s modern history. Iranian media have reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, who was said to have been wounded during the conflict, has not made a public appearance since the war began.
