ISLAMABAD: People from all walks of live continued to visit the Iranan Embassy to condole the demise of President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hussain Amirabdullahian and other dignitaries in helicopter crash.

Secretary General of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari met Iranian Ambassador Raza Amiri Moghadam.

Mr Bukhari offered condolences on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and recorded his words of condolence in the visitor’s book.

Meanwhile, the ambassador of Iran Reza Amiri Moghadam has extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the people for expressing sympathies and solidarity with the Iranian people over the tragic accident.

The Iranian envoy described Pakistan a great friend of Iran, said that President Raisi’s vision of strengthening and promoting Pakistan-Iran relations would continue and all the agreements inked on the occasion of his recent visit to Pakistan will be implemented in letter and spirit and that there will be no change in the foreign policy of Iran.

At the same time he added that the revolutionary government of Iran has developed a system of governance and the date of elections for the next president has already been announced which will be held within 50 days.

“The loss of President Raisi was a tragic fateful incident but the system will continue,” MrMoghadam said.

Besides different delegations visited the Iranian embassy to express their condolences including the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) led by its President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari.

Mr Bakhtawari said that late president Raisi was a bold, sincere and dedicated leader of the Islamic world. His efforts for peace and services for the nation are unforgettable and restoration of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia was one of his big achievements for unity of the Muslim Ummah which elevatedhis stature as a true leader of the Islamic world.

He also recalled the crystal clear stance of the late President over the Palestine issue.

He added that the late President was keen to boost Pakistan-Iran trade up to $10 billion,

Another delegation led by president Azhar Jatoi, president National Press Club visited the embassy and offered his condolences to the Iranian envoy.

MrJatoi said that the late Mr Raisi was a statesman whose contributions to his country and reinforcing relations with all regional countries not only with Pakistan, but Arab neighbours, as well as Azerbaijan to promote regional cooperation.

The NPC members expressed the confidence that the mission of promoting the government to government as well as people to people relations with Pakistan will continue.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024