PM Shehbaz hopes for stable Iran under new leader, pledges closer ties

Premier orders strict implementation of govt austerity measures

ISLAMABAD: In a letter to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue to work “closely” with the Islamic republic, a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

A day earlier, Iran’s Assembly of Experts named Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in US-Israeli coordinated strikes on Iran days ago.

The PMO statement said that the premier congratulated Mojtaba on his appointment as the supreme leader and voiced optimism that he would lead his country towards “peace, stability, and prosperity”.

He also offered “condolences on the martyrdom of his revered father, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei”.

PM Shehbaz noted that the martyrdom of the former supreme leader had “deeply saddened the people of Pakistan, who stand in solidarity with the leadership and people of Iran during this difficult time”.

He expressed faith that the new supreme leader would guide his country “towards peace, stability, dignity and prosperity in the years ahead”.

In his letter, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan and Iran’s bilateral relations, which he said were “anchored in shared faith, history, culture and language”.

He reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to continue working closely with the Islamic Republic of Iran to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all spheres of mutual interest for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples”.

PM Shehbaz, in his letter to the Iranian leader, prayed for his “good health, well-being, and success” and for “peace, stability and prosperity for the brotherly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

The premier also congratulated the Iranian leader in a post on X, saying, “I congratulate his eminence Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his assumption of the responsibilities of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed all federal ministries and divisions to strictly implement the government’s announced austerity and energy conservation measures in view of the prevailing regional situation.

He was chairing a review meeting in Islamabad today regarding the implementation of the steps announced by the government to promote austerity and save energy.

During the meeting, it was decided that the weekly additional holiday will be observed on Friday.

Shehbaz Sharif further said the government is making every possible effort to keep the economy stable despite challenging global conditions. He said a special committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been formed to oversee the implementation of austerity and energy conservation measures. The committee will review the progress on a daily basis and submit its report.

The Prime Minister also directed to conduct a third-party audit of the austerity measures to assess their impact and effectiveness. He instructed all federal ministries and divisions to fully enforce steps related to simplicity, austerity and energy conservation.

The Prime Minister further directed all ministries and institutions to send photographs of vehicles that have been withdrawn from use under the austerity policy to the Cabinet Division. He said each ministry will also submit a report to the Prime Minister’s Office on measures taken to make the work-from-home system more effective.

The meeting was informed that all federal ministries and divisions will submit daily and weekly reports to the committee regarding steps taken for austerity, energy conservation and workforce management. Staff  Report