The tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Monday shocked and saddened Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
After an hours-long search, all of the people inside the helicopter—which was carrying President Raisi, the foreign minister, and other officials—were declared dead. The chopper went down in a foggy, hilly area of northwest Iran.
The premier extended the Iranian people his “deepest condolences and sympathies” for the tragic loss in a message posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The statement went on, “The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage.”
Regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi’s helicopter, Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that he was “hoping for good news”. “Alas, this was not to be.”
The president’s death was confirmed by Iranian state sources earlier today. Iranian officials stated that the chopper, which was returning from the Iran-Azerbaijan border with nine passengers on board, crashed into a mountain in dense fog.
The prime minister remembered President Raisi’s and Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian’s recent trip to Pakistan last month, even as he lamented Raisi’s passing.
Further, PM Shehbaz said that a day of mourning will be observed and the flag will be flown at half-mast as the nation expresses its deep sorrow over the tragic loss.
Bilawal Expresses Deep Sorrow
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari conveyed deep sorrow over the tragic death of the Iranian president and his companions in a helicopter crash.
In his statement, Bilawal said, “I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of Iran on the untimely passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their fellow travelers.”
“The news of this tragic incident has deeply saddened every Pakistani, and we stand in solidarity with our Iranian brothers and sisters during this difficult time,” the former foreign minister stated.
“I extend sincere condolences to the government and citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the PPP chairperson added.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA), Omar Ayub Khan, also expressed deep sorrow and condolences.
“The passing of President Raisi has deprived the Muslim ummah of a great and courageous leader,” Ayub stated.
“Pakistan has lost a sincere friend with the demise of President Raisi,” he added.
Ayub noted that President Raisi was an advocate of progress and prosperity in the region, and his sudden death deeply saddened the whole nation.
“In these difficult times, we stand with the Iranian people and share their sorrow equally,” reiterated the opposition leader. He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased individuals and for patience for their families and the Iranian nation to bear this irreparable loss.
The helicopter, carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials, lost contact about 30 minutes into the flight. This prompted immediate concerns and a large-scale search and rescue operation.
The country’s foreign minister and others were found dead at the site of the helicopter crash Monday after an hours-long search through a foggy, mountainous region in the country’s northwest, state media reported. Raisi was 63.
