Shehbaz Sharif Leaves for Iran to Attend Khamenei Funeral

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left Islamabad on Friday for a short trip to Iran to take part in the Khamenei funeral. He is joining world leaders in Tehran to pay respect to Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The prime minister is not travelling alone. A group of senior Pakistani leaders is going with him. This includes National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Ayatollah Khamenei passed away on February 28 this year. He lost his life on the first day of joint US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. His funeral events began this week in Tehran, and his burial will take place on July 9 in his hometown of Mashhad.

While in Tehran, PM Shehbaz will join the mourning rituals held for the late leader. Pakistan’s government says the visit is a way to show sympathy to the Iranian people during this hard time.

The Prime Minister’s Office shared that Shehbaz will speak with Iranian leaders and offer condolences on behalf of Pakistan. He will also tell them that Pakistan stands fully with Iran during this painful moment.

اسلام آباد: 3 جولائی 2026.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا دورہءِ ایران، وزیرِ اعظم ایران کے مرحوم سپریم لیڈر آیت اللہ سید علی خامنہ ای شہید کے جنازے میں شرکت کریں گے.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اپنے ایک روزہ دورہءِ ایران کیلئے اسلام آباد سے روانہ ہوگئے. اسپیکر قومی اسمبلی سردار… pic.twitter.com/qIKbHIkjEm

— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) July 3, 2026

After the funeral, the prime minister will not return home right away. Instead, he will fly to Istanbul for a short visit to Turkiye, where more talks are expected to take place.

This trip shows how close ties remain between Pakistan and its neighbouring Muslim countries, especially during a time of grief and change in the region.