ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming the responsibilities of the Supreme Leader of Iran.
The prime minister also expressed condolences over the martyrdom of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader, who was assassinated in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on March 1.
In a message, Sharif conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Mojtaba Khamenei and extended deepest condolences and prayers on behalf of the people of Pakistan over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other members of the family.
He expressed confidence that the new supreme leader would guide Iran toward peace, stability and prosperity in the years ahead.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Iran during this difficult time and expressed hope for stronger cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
In a separate message, the president extended his congratulations to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei following his assumption of the leadership role.
Zardari noted that the region is currently facing serious tensions and conflict, and expressed hope that the situation will stabilise and conditions will improve for the people of the region.
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Born on September 8, 1969, in the holy city of Mashhad in eastern Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei is one of six children of the late supreme leader.
He was named supreme leader by the top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, in a statement published shortly after midnight on Monday in Iran.
Other contenders for the top position had included Alireza Arafi, one of the three members of the interim council running the country, hardliner Mohsen Araki, and even Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic republic in 1979.
But ultimately, the assembly settled on Mojtaba Khamenei, 56. The Islamic revolution had put an end to a multi-century royal dynasty headed by the shah.
