PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Asim Munir pay final tribute to Iran's supreme leader in Tehran

-- Pakistan reaffirms solidarity with Iran at supreme leader's funeral

-- Prime Minister conveys Pakistan's condolences to Iranian leadership and people

-- High-level Pakistani delegation reaffirms Islamabad's solidarity with Tehran

-- Foreign dignitaries gather in Tehran for state funeral ceremonies

TEHRAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Friday represented Pakistan at the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reaffirming Islamabad's unwavering solidarity with the Iranian leadership and people during one of the most significant moments in the country's recent history.

Prime Minister Shehbaz attended the state funeral at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, where he paid rich tribute to the late Iranian leader and expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the prime minister met Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and conveyed Pakistan's sympathies over the loss of the country's supreme leader. He also expressed condolences to Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and assured the Iranian leadership of Pakistan's continued support during what he described as a moment of profound national grief.

"The prime minister conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan and reaffirmed Pakistan's complete solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran in this difficult hour," the PMO said.

Following the funeral ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz departed for Istanbul to continue his official visit to Turkiye.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also attended the funeral ceremony, joining senior military commanders, government officials and international dignitaries in paying final respects to the late Iranian leader. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, he departed for Pakistan and was seen off by Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and other senior Iranian officials.

Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Tehran earlier in the day on a one-day visit and was received at Mehrabad Airport by Iran's Interior Minister, Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran and senior diplomatic officials from both countries.

He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Separately, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani also reached Tehran with a parliamentary delegation to attend the funeral prayers and burial ceremonies. The delegation was received by senior Iranian officials upon arrival.

Ayatollah Khamenei's body was brought to Tehran's Grand Mosalla ahead of the official funeral, where thousands of mourners, senior clerics, military commanders, political leaders and foreign dignitaries gathered to pay their respects.

The coffin, draped in Iran's tricolour national flag, was carried into the vast ceremonial complex amid emotional scenes. The venue, one of the Islamic Republic's most important religious and state institutions, had been decorated with portraits of the late leader, Quranic inscriptions and banners carrying his quotations.

Images from the ceremony showed mourners dressed in black offering prayers while flowers surrounded the coffin inside the prayer hall.

Among those paying tribute was Ahmad Vahidi, a senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who made his first public appearance since the outbreak of the recent regional conflict.

Iranian authorities announced that the funeral ceremonies would continue over several days, taking the late leader's remains through a series of cities reflecting the country's religious and historical heritage.

Following ceremonies in Tehran, the body is scheduled to travel to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before being laid to rest on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Ayatollah Khamenei's birthplace in northeastern Iran.

The bodies of several members of his family who were killed alongside him will also be honoured during the funeral processions.

Millions of mourners are expected to participate in the ceremonies, with delegations arriving from numerous countries, including neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian said the massive public participation in the funeral would send a powerful message of national unity and resilience.

He described the ceremony as Iran's collective response to terrorism, violence and external aggression, saying it reflected the determination of the Iranian nation to remain united during a difficult period.

Pakistan's participation at the highest political and military levels underscored the close relationship between Islamabad and Tehran and reflected Pakistan's support for regional peace, stability and neighbourly cooperation.

The presence of the prime minister, the country's top military leadership, senior cabinet members and parliamentary leaders highlighted Pakistan's commitment to standing with Iran during a period of national mourning.

After completing his engagements in Tehran, Prime Minister Shehbaz left for Turkiye to continue his official visit, while Field Marshal Asim Munir returned to Pakistan following the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies.