One-day Mourning in Pakistan today for Iranian helicopter crash victims

The National flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country today. The day of national mourning has been declared by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Following the confirmation by the Iranian government of President Raisi's demise in a helicopter crash, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday announced that a day of mourning will be observed in the country as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Shehbaz said: "Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran."

The premier also extended condolences to the Iranian people terming the fatal accident as a "terrible loss" for the neighbouring nation.

"The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage," the prime minister noted.

President Raisi, Foreign MinisterAmirabdollahian and other high officials were returning after attending an inauguration ceremony of a dam on Iran’s border with the Republic of Azerbaijan when the chopper crashed while flying through a mountainous terrain amid heavy fog in the Varzaqan region of the country's East Azerbaijan province on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, and Mehdi Mousavi, the head of Raisi’s guard team were on board the crashed aircraft as well.