PM Shehbaz Sharif postpones Russia visit amid regional tensions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed his scheduled visit to Russia in view of the prevailing internal and regional situation.

According to a statement by the federal government on X, the prime minister decided to defer the visit after consultations due to the current regional and domestic circumstances.

The statement said the prime minister’s visit to Russia holds significant importance for advancing bilateral relations between the two countries. However, given the existing situation, the visit has been postponed. "The new date of the visit will be announced later after mutual consultation," the statement added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to the people of Iran over the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and prayed for the departed soul.

In a message posted on X, the prime minister wrote, “The Government and the people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and extend our most sincere condolences on the martyrdom of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.”

He further expressed concern over what he described as a violation of international law, stating, “It is an age-old convention that Heads of State or Government should not be targeted.”

“We pray for the departed soul. May Allah Almighty grant patience and strength to the Iranian people to bear this irreparable loss,” the prime minister added.

Citing Pakistan’s Ambassador to Moscow, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti had earlier reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz was scheduled to visit Russia from March 3–5.

Russia has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to halt cross-border attacks and resolve their differences through diplomatic means. Russian news agency TASS also reported on the planned visit to Moscow, citing remarks by former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his condolences to Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on the assassination of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and members of his family.

In a post on X, the Russian president requested the Iranian president to accept his deepest condolences on the assassination "committed in a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law."

"In Russia, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an exceptional statesman who made an enormous personal contribution to fostering friendly relations between Russia and Iran, elevating them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership," Putin added.

Read More: Pakistan in delicate balancing act

"The visit of the prime minister of Pakistan to Russia will take place next week," he stated while speaking at the Moscow-Islamabad media forum on February 27.

The X account of the Russian Embassy in Pakistan had quoted Putin as saying on the occasion: "We are continuing close cooperation with Pakistan. Pakistan is a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which is the region's largest regional organisation in terms of economic, technical, and human resources. Russia-Pakistan relations are mutually beneficial in the truest sense."