Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday to attend the funeral prayers of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Upon his arrival, the field marshal was received by Iran's Defence Minister Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza, the interior minister, and other senior civilian and military officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Also Visits Tehran
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed Islamabad for a one-day visit to Iran to participate in the funeral ceremonies. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the premier is accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to offer condolences to the Iranian leadership and the bereaved family on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan. He will also reaffirm Pakistan's solidarity with Iran during the period of mourning.
Funeral Processions Scheduled
Funeral processions for Ayatollah Khamenei are scheduled to begin on July 4 in Tehran and conclude with his burial in Mashhad on July 9. Additional ceremonies are also planned in Qom and Iraq. Following the funeral in Tehran, Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to travel to Istanbul for a bilateral visit to Türkiye.
Senate Chairman Also in Tehran
Meanwhile, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also arrived in Tehran earlier with a high-level parliamentary delegation to attend the funeral prayers and burial ceremonies. Iranian officials welcomed the Pakistani delegation upon its arrival. Iranian state media reported that the body of the late supreme leader had been brought to the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where funeral rites are being held as part of nationwide mourning ceremonies.
