Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan after a brief but significant visit to Iran, where he offered his condolences on the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage in a helicopter crash.
The premier’s day-long visit culminated with a departure from Tehran’s international airport, where he was seen off by senior Iranian officials, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu, and other diplomatic staff.
The fatal accident occurred on May 19 in the Iranian province of Eastern Azerbaijan, claiming the lives of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, and several other officials. Prime Minister Shehbaz attended a commemoration ceremony for the late Iranian president and his companions, expressing his deep condolences to the Iranian leadership.
During the event, the Prime Minister engaged in a series of high-profile meetings with world leaders to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and fostering international cooperation.
In a meeting with President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, the two leaders explored ways to fortify their countries’ strong bilateral ties. Similarly, discussions with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov focused on enhancing cooperation, with Prime Minister Shehbaz also extending best wishes for Azerbaijan’s hosting of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku later this year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also held talks with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where they agreed to further enhance cooperation across various sectors. The premier extended an invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for an official visit to Pakistan during separate meetings with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Both sides expressed a commitment to strengthening their cooperative efforts.
Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz met with Nabih Birri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a former Iranian president and current member of the Expediency Discernment Council.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit underscored Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran during this period of mourning while also providing an opportunity to engage in significant diplomatic dialogues aimed at enhancing regional and international partnerships.
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