Ex-interim health minister pays condolences after President Raisi's death

Former caretaker health minister Dr Nadeem Jan Monday visited the Iranian embassy in Islamabad and paid his condolences on the sad demise of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

The ex-interim minister, whose government’s stint ended in August, also expressed his condolences in writing at the embassy.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died after his helicopter crashed in poor weather in the mountains near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said on Monday.

The charred wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew was found early on Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

Supreme Leader Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran's nuclear programme, said First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, would take over as interim president, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Prior to Jan, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also visited the Iranian Embassy to convey his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Iran on the tragic demise of President Raisi and other officials.

While speaking to Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam, the prime minister paid rich tributes to the late Iranian President. He fondly recalled his interactions with President Raisi, who he said was a great leader, a visionary and a scholar.