Gilani heaps praise on Iranian president Raisi

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday lavished his praise on Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash.

According to details, Gilani visited the Iranian Embassy in the capital and extended his condolences over the tragedy to Iranian envoy Reza Amiri Moghaddam.

Gilani had expressed grief and sorrow on behalf of the Pakistani government and the masses over the death of Ebrahim Raisi.

"The entire Pakistani nation is sad and stands with the Iranian people in this difficult time," he said.

"The Muslim world has lost one great leader. President Raisi was a true friend of Pakistan," Gilani said.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended his deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on behalf of the government, and people of Pakistan and himself on the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. 

In a post on X, Shehbaz wrote that he had been "anxiously" following the developments regarding the reported crash landing of Raisi's helicopter. "Was hoping for good news. Alas, this was not to be. May the martyred souls rest in heavenly peace. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage," he said.

Shehbaz recalled how Pakistan hosted Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian "on a historic visit" less than a month ago. "They were good friends of Pakistan," he remarked. 

The prime minister also announced that Pakistan would observe a day of mourning, and the national flag would fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Iran.