PM Shehbaz honors Ayatollah Khamenei while in Tehran.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while visiting Tehran paid rich tributes to Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said he would be remembered by Muslims all over the world as a brilliant scholar and leader.

The prime minister, in comments to Iranian media, hailed the late leader’s steadfastness, fortitude, patience and vision, adding he had served Iran with sincerity and unflinching dedication.Shehbaz said that the Pakistani team had travelled to Iran to send its profound condolences and solidarity following his death, adding, “Millions of Muslims across the world, not only the people of Iran, will remember him as a great leader.”

The prime minister also expressed sorrow with the families of those who died, noting many Iranian civilians have also been killed as a result of “brutal aggression.”

Shehbaz reiterated the tight connections between Pakistan and Iran, terming the two countries as brotherly Muslim countries.Pakistan and Iran are the fraternal Islamic countries. “Our hearts beat together and we will always stand shoulder to shoulder with each other,” he added while offering condolences on behalf of the people of Pakistan.

Earlier, the Prime Minister attended the funeral of the late Iranian Supreme Leader at the invitation of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Pakistani delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other senior government officials.

The prime minister called on Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian during the visit and expressed Pakistan’s support with the Iranian leadership and people and offered prayers for the departed leader.

A separate parliamentary delegation led by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, legislators, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also attended the funeral.