President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed shock and condolences on Monday following the unexpected death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident.
The helicopter carrying President Raisi, the foreign minister, and other dignitaries crashed in a foggy, hilly location in northwest Iran, and all aboard were declared dead following an hours-long search.
In a statement posted on X (previously Twitter), the premier expressed his "deepest condolences and sympathies" to the Iranian people for the tragic loss.
"The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage," the statement said.
PM Shehbaz said he was "hoping for good news" after President Raisi's helicopter was reported to have crashed. "Alas, this was not to be."
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has also expressed "profound shock and sorrow" over the tragic accident.
"Pakistan mourns the loss of a great friend. May Allah Almighty bless his soul and grant patience and strength to his family and the people of Iran in this time of irreparable loss," read a statement issued by the President House.
Iranian media confirmed the president's death earlier today, saying the chopper, which was carrying nine passengers, crashed into a mountain in severe fog while returning from the Iran-Azerbaijan border.
While mourning President Raisi's death, the premier also recalled Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian's recent visit to Pakistan last month.
PM Shehbaz further stated that the country would mourn the huge loss by hoisting the flag at half-mast and commemorating a day of grief.