ISLAMABAD: In the first official correspondence with Iran’s new supreme leader, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday wrote to Ayat­ollah Mojtaba Kham­enei, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to continue to work “closely” with the Islamic republic, and hoping that the new leader will bring peace and stability to the neighbouring Muslim state.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the PM also expressed condolences over the assassination of his father and former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, by US and Israeli forces.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts had named him the new supreme leader to succeed his father a couple of days ago.

The PM Office said the premier congratulated Aya­­t­­ollah Mojtaba on his appointment as the supr­eme leader and voiced opti­mism that he would lead his country towards “peace, stability, and prosperity”.

He also offered “condolences on the martyrdom of his revered father, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei”. PM Shehbaz noted that the martyrdom of the former supreme lea­der had “deeply saddened the people of Pakistan, who stand in solidarity with the leadership and people of Iran during this difficult time”.

He expressed faith that the new supreme leader would guide his country “towards peace, stability, dignity and prosperity in the years ahead”. In his letter, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan and Iran’s bilateral relations, which he said were “anchored in shared faith, history, culture and language”.

He reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to continue working closely with the Islamic Republic of Iran to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all spheres of mutual interest for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples”.

PM Shehbaz, in his letter to the Iranian leader, prayed for his “good health, well-being, and success” and for “peace, stability and prosperity for the brotherly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

The premier also congratulated the Iranian leader in a post on X, saying, “I congratulate his eminence Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his assumption of the responsibilities of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

President Zardari, in a post on X, also congratulated on his appointment. In his statement, the president “exp­r­e­ssed hope for improved conditions and stability in the region”.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2026