TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Iran and Türkiye from July 3 to July 5, beginning with a high-level visit to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Government of Pakistan confirmed on Thursday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, during his weekly media briefing, said the prime minister will lead Pakistan’s delegation to Iran to convey condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan following the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei in the US-Israeli strikes of February 28. The Pakistani delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal cabinet members and senior government officials.
According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will express Pakistan’s solidarity with the Iranian people during what it described as a period of profound national grief. The visit reflects Islamabad’s longstanding diplomatic, religious and cultural ties with Tehran and underscores Pakistan’s support for regional stability during a sensitive political transition.
Iran has announced an extensive state funeral programme spanning several days, making it one of the largest official ceremonies in the country’s modern history. According to Iranian state media, the funeral ceremonies will formally begin in Tehran on July 4, followed by commemorative events in the holy city of Qom and other locations before concluding with Ayatollah Khamenei’s burial near the shrine of Imam Reza in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.
Authorities have declared a week of national mourning and are preparing for the arrival of hundreds of foreign dignitaries, religious scholars and political representatives from across the Middle East, Asia and other regions. Security has been significantly tightened across Tehran and other cities hosting the ceremonies, with extensive arrangements aimed at ensuring the safety of participants and visiting delegations.
Several countries have already confirmed their participation in the funeral. China announced that He Wei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, will attend the ceremony as President Xi Jinping’s special envoy. India has also confirmed that a high-level delegation led by Minister of State Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain will represent New Delhi during the funeral proceedings.
Iranian officials have described the funeral as both a national farewell and a demonstration of unity following months of regional tensions. State media has called on citizens to participate in the mourning processions, portraying the ceremonies as a symbol of resilience and continuity for the Islamic Republic during a period of political transition.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led Iran for more than three decades after assuming the country’s highest office in 1989. His death during the February conflict marked one of the most significant developments in Iran’s modern political history and triggered an unprecedented succession process within the country’s leadership.
The funeral ceremonies are expected to attract senior officials from allied nations, regional organizations and religious institutions, reflecting Khamenei’s influence on regional politics and Iran’s foreign policy over the past 36 years. The gatherings are also expected to serve as an opportunity for diplomatic engagements among visiting leaders on regional security and bilateral relations.
Following his engagements in Tehran, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Türkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During his stay in Istanbul, the two leaders are expected to review bilateral relations, expand cooperation in trade and investment, and exchange views on regional peace, security and ongoing geopolitical developments. The prime minister is also scheduled to address a business forum highlighting Pakistan’s investment opportunities in energy, information technology, special economic zones and other key sectors.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the twin visits to Iran and Türkiye demonstrate Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening relations with two longstanding partner countries while continuing diplomatic engagement on important regional issues. Officials believe the visit to Tehran, in particular, carries symbolic importance as Pakistan joins the international community in paying tribute to Iran’s late supreme leader during one of the country’s most significant state occasions in recent decades.
