KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Monday paid a rich tribute to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash, for effectively raising voice against Israeli atrocities in Gaza and in the India-held Kashmir.

Lawmakers belonging to both sides of the aisle extended deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation over the tragic death of their president.

The house adopted unanimous resolution, tabled by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Lanjar, saying that the whole nation stood with the Iranian people.

The resolution said: “This House expresses its deepest condolences and sorrow over the tragic helicopter accident that resulted in the loss of Iranian President, His Excellency Syed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdullahian and other esteemed personalities.”

House unanimously adopts resolution to offer condolences to people of Iran on helicopter crash

It said that the Islamic Republic of Iran was a strong and steadfast friend of Pakistan and the two nations shared a rich history and cultural heritage with deep and strong roots. “Iran is the first country to recognise Pakistan’s existence, and both nations have stood with each other through thick and thin,” it said.

“In this moment of profound sorrow, this House extends its heartfelt condolences to the Iranian People and the families of the deceased, reaffirming its unwavering support and solidarity during this challenging period,” the resolution said.

Speaking on the resolution, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah paid tributes to President Raisi amd expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Iran.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this tragic time,” he added.

“It is incredibly unfortunate and a mammoth loss for the Muslim nations,” he said. “He [President Raisi] played a pivotal role in world affairs with unwavering courage,” he added.

Recalling the April 23 visit of President Raisi, the chief minister said it was an honour to host him in the city. “He was an inspiring figure and an outstanding company,” he said.

The CM said that the provincial government had announced a holiday in the city for the visit of Mr Raisi as there was an intelligence report about threats to his security which was received just a day before his visit.

He said that Iranians were a resilient nation and hoped that they would emerge stronger to face the crisis.

Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan termed the tragic demise of the Iranian president a great loss for all the Muslims of the world.

Paying glowing tributes to Mr Raisi, he said that the pivotal role the Iranian president had played for the stability of the region would be written in golden words in the history.

He prayed for the Iranian people to bear that irreparable loss with patience and courage.

At the outset of the proceedings, which started with a delay of one hour and two minutes, Mr Lanjar rose to seek permission to move a motion seeking deferment of all business on assembly agenda and started reading out the resolution.

However, Speaker Awais Qadir Shah interrupted him, pointing out that he might read the resolution after his motion was allowed after voting in the house.

Former Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawala stood to rescue Mr Lanjar, telling the chair that the law minister actually first wanted to move the motion and then he would table the resolution after the chair allowed the motion. However, the speaker asked Mr Chawala to take his seat, initiating voting on the motion to suspend the agenda for moving the condolence resolution.

As Mr Lanjar read out the resolution, the opposition leader sought the chair’s permission to table a joint resolution.

However, the chair said that now the joint resolution could not be tabled as he had already called for the discussion on the resolution tabled by the law minister. “You may read the same resolution,” he told Mr Khurshidi and asked the law minister to initiate discussion on the resolution.

The members who spoke on the resolution included Pakistan Peoples Party’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Energy Minister Nasir Shah, Makhdoom Fakhar Zaman, Imdad Pitafi, Tanzila Umi Habiba and Saima Agha, MQM-P’s Najam Mirza, Muhammad Rashid, Farzana Hanif and Paskistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council’s Sarbuland Khan and Shabbir Quershi and Jamaat-i-Islami’s lone member Muhammad Farooq.

Later, the house was adjourned to Tuesday (today).

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2024