Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for Iran to attend the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US‑Israeli strike on February 28, according to his office.
A statement on the social platform X from the PMO noted that the prime minister was accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP Secretary General Nayyer Bukhari, and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
He will convey heartfelt condolences to Iran’s leadership and the bereaved families, reaffirming Pakistan’s full solidarity with the Iranian nation during this period of mourning.
The PMO said that after concluding his visit to Iran, the premier will travel onward to Turkey.
Earlier, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani arrived in Tehran with a high‑level delegation to attend the funeral prayers and burial of Khamenei, according to state‑run Pakistan Television (PTV). Iranian officials received the delegation upon its arrival.
China, Afghanistan and Iran’s neighbours in the Caucasus region said they would also be sending representatives.
The funeral rites will traverse several sites — from Tehran’s seat of power to the holy cities of Qom, Karbala, Najaf and finally Mashhad — reflecting the religious, political and ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.
The funeral, which had been postponed amid the height of the Middle East war, is now occurring as Iran and the United States maintain a fragile ceasefire following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to end hostilities.
The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, beginning with strikes that assassinated the supreme leader and members of his family — his daughter, grandchild, son‑in-law and daughter‑in‑law — as well as senior Iranian military commanders, including adviser Ali Shamkhani.
His public funeral will commence on Saturday, with his body placed in state at the expansive central Tehran complex that houses major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a large public turnout at the funeral of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would constitute a decisive response to terrorism, violence and intimidation, while underscoring national unity, according to state broadcaster Press TV.
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