Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday and offered condolences on the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi and his companions in a helicopter crash, Radio Pakistan reported.

“President Raisi was a visionary leader,” he said during a meeting with Khamenei in Tehran. “Services of Raisi for the unity of the Muslim Ummah and oppressed people of Gaza will always be remembered.”

Raisi, a hardliner long seen as a potential successor to Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said earlier today.

The charred wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew was found early on Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

While recalling Raisi’s visit to Pakistan in April 2024, PM Shehbaz highlighted the significant role of the late Iranian president in further strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. He affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing the vision of the late Iranian president towards enhancing bilateral trade and bolstering Pakistan-Iran relations.

While addressing a ceremony in Karachi last month, Raisi said that no power in the world can spoil the relations between Iran and Pakistan. The two countries had agreed to enhance the bilateral trade volume to $10 billion in the next five years.

At this critical juncture, the prime minister reiterated solidarity with his Iranian brethren. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to fortify the bonds of friendship and brotherhood with the brotherly nation of Iran. He also expressed Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen friendship and brotherly relations with the Iranian government and people.

The Iran’s supreme leader acknowledged the sentiments expressed by the government and people of Pakistan during the challenging time. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of emotions and thanked Pakistan for its “unwavering support.”

He emphasised Iran’s commitment to giving “utmost importance” to its relations with Pakistan and pledged to advance the vision of the late Iranian president Raisi concerning Pakistan-Iran relations.

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The PM also extended an invitation to the supreme leader of Iran to visit Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, and Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar accompanied the PM during the meeting.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif a memorial ceremony in Tehran held in the honour of late Iranian president.

He paid rich tribute to Raisi for the development and prosperity of the Iranian people, the promotion of Pak-Iran relations and services to the region. PM Shehbaz expressed his condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to Acting President of Iran Muhammad Mokhber.

He said the government and people of Pakistan “are deeply shocked by the news of the martyrdom” of President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage in a tragic accident.

“Entire Pakistani nation stands with Iran in this hour of grief and our sympathies are with the families of the martyrs and the Iranian people,” PM Shehbaz said and added that the late Iranian president was a “great friend” of Pakistan and moments he spent with the Pakistani people during his visit to Pakistan last month would always be remembered.

The PM expressed his best wishes for the caretaker president. He also visited the hall where the mortal remains of the late Iranian president were kept and prayed for the high ranks of Raisi.