ISLAMABAD: May 20, 2024: Updated at 10.20 pm.
Prime minister , Shahbaz Sharif , visited Iran ‘s embassy in Islamabad and met with Iranian ambassador to Pakistan for offering condolences over tragic death of Iran’s president , Ebrahim Raisi , and 9 others including Iran’s Foreign minister who were on board in the helicopter that crashed last day on its way to Tabraiz province in North West of Iran. Prime minister , Shahbaz Sharif , noted his condolence message in the Iranian embassy which called tragic death of Ebrahim Raisi and other members of his delegation as a great loss to the Muslim world and prayed for peace of soul of those who died in the helicopter crash.
Updated at 4.45 pm
Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday issued the following statement on death of Iran’s president and Foreign minister in a helicopter crash. It said the government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the martyrdom of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, and the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.
The statement said “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this moment of profound sorrow and grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the martyrs and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We stand in solidarity with them in this time of National tragedy”.
President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were esteemed leaders and statesmen whose contributions to their country and reinforcing Pakistan-Iran relations and regional cooperation will always be remembered.
They visited Pakistan this April when important understandings were reached by the two sides to further solidify our bilateral ties.
Pakistan reiterates its commitment to furthering the bonds of friendship and cooperation with Iran, as envisioned by the late leaders.
May the departed souls rest in eternal peace in Jannah
Iran has officially confirmed that president Ebrahim Raisi and other onboard have died in helicopter crash in North West of Tehran. President Raiisi’s helicopter had gone missing on Sunday after making hard landing. Iranian Foreign minister and nine other senior officials have also died in the crash.
According to Iran’s state TV, Iran’s Supreme leader , Aietullah Khamini, has appointed Mohammad Mukhir as interim president of Iran for two months. Iran’s Interim president will make arrangements for the election of the new Iranian president in two months. As per Iran’s constitution , after taking over in the case of death of the president, the interim president is authopriised to hold the election for the new president of Iran in two months.
Iran’s deceased president , Ebrahim Raisi , had inaugurated a dam with the president of Azerbaijan on Sunday and he was flying in his helicopter to Tabraiz province of Iran when his helicopter made hard landing . Soon after hard landing , helicopter of Iran’s president , Ebrahim Raisi , had lost contact with the control room. Iranian government launched rescue operation soon after hearing the news of missing of its president , Ebrahim Raisi and other leaders and officials , but bad weather and heavy rains coupled with dense fog impeded rescue efforts . It took more than 17 hours to trace the charred wreckage of Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter . Meanwhile , a number of countries including Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Qatar and Turkey offered to Iran to help trace missing helicopter which was carrying Iranian president , Foreign minister and other many senior government officials of Iran. Turkey dispatched a helicopter and a drone to help Iranian authorities in rescue operation. Turkey’s drones sensed the heat in North West of Tehran which gave a lead to the rescuers to reach to the site of the crash of helicopter.
According to Iran’s official media , condolence messages are pouring in in Tehran over tragic death of Iran’s president . Pakistan’s has announced a- day of mourning over death of Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation members. In a condolence message, president Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif , has said Iran’s deceased president, Ebrahim Raisi, was a great friend of Pakistan and his unforgotton memories of last visit to Islamabad will always remain alive with every Pakistan. Pakistan leaders added that Pakistan government and its people are deeply shocked over unexpected death of its great leader , Ebrahim Raisi, and others onboard and stand firmly with Iranian government and people of that country in these difficult times.