TEHRAN: Pakistan delegation’s visit to Tehran began Friday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior civil and military leaders arrived to attend Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei’s funeral.
The delegation includes Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also reached Tehran separately. He will attend the funeral and burial ceremonies of Iran’s late supreme leader.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran from Saudi Arabia before the main delegation. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni received him at the airport. Naqvi and Momeni also held talks on matters of mutual interest, the report said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the funeral proceedings in Tehran. He will convey condolences to the Iranian leadership and Khamenei’s bereaved family on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
Read: Iran Turns Khamenei Funeral into Show of Power
Pakistan’s representatives will also reaffirm solidarity with the Iranian leadership and people during the visit.
The Pakistan delegation’s visit to Tehran comes as Iran holds funeral ceremonies for Khamenei after his death earlier this year. The ceremonies have drawn foreign delegations and senior officials from several countries.
Iranian media said Naqvi would attend the historic farewell and burial ceremonies. The report said Pakistan’s delegation would take part in official condolence events during the visit.
Read: Iran Turns Khamenei Funeral into Show of Power
Khamenei’s funeral has become a major diplomatic gathering in Tehran. Pakistan’s participation reflects close political, religious and regional ties between Islamabad and Tehran.
The funeral programme is expected to continue before the burial ceremonies in Mashhad.
