ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday extended his condolences to President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Iranian people after a coal mine blast killed more than 30 people in the country.
The gas explosion in a coal mine in Iran’s South Khorasan province killed at least 31 people and injured 16 others, according to Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
Seventeen miners were still missing as rescue teams were still 400 meters away from the likely location and were expected to reach it by Monday after removing rubble and excess gas.
In his message on X, Sharif extended condolences to President Pezeshkian and the Iranian people on the loss of precious lives.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” he said. “Pakistan stands with its Iranian brethren during this time.”
There were 69 workers present in blocks B and C at the time of the explosion at the privately-owned mine operated by the Madanjoo company, state TV reported.
“Seventy-six percent of the country’s coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region including Madanjoo company,” Ali Akbar Rahimi, governor of the South Khorasan province, told state TV on Sunday.
The mine went through inspections last month and complied with all safety regulations, Labour Minister Ahmad Meydari told state media, denying any case of negligence and adding that such “sudden events also happen in the most advanced mines globally.”
An investigation into the incident has been ordered by the country’s public prosecutor.
Pakistan PM extends condolences to Iran after coal mine blast kills over 30
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Pakistan PM extends condolences to Iran after coal mine blast kills over 30
- The explosion injured 16 people, while 17 miners were still missing and their fate remained unknown, Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said
- Rescue teams were still 400 meters away from the likely location and were expected to reach there by Monday after removing rubble and excess gas
Saudi defense delegation visits Pakistan’s foreign office for diplomatic briefing
- Delegation briefed on Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities and bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia
- Visit reflects close defense cooperation, including a bilateral security pact signed last year
ISLAMABAD: A Saudi defense delegation visited Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Friday to learn about Islamabad’s diplomatic priorities and engagements as the two countries strengthen security collaboration and consult more closely on regional and international issues.
The visit comes amid sustained high-level engagement between Islamabad and Riyadh, with regular contacts spanning defense, diplomacy and economic cooperation.
A 15-member delegation from the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Command and Staff College met officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said an official statement.
“The visit of the delegation to Pakistan is a manifestation of excellent defense and security relations between the two countries,” the foreign ministry said.
It added that officials briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s foreign policy issues and bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, followed by an interactive session.
The head of the delegation thanked Pakistani authorities for facilitating the visit, the statement said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close defense and security cooperation, including training exchanges and joint exercises.
In September last year, the two countries signed a bilateral security agreement under which aggression against one would be treated as a threat to the other.
While Saudi diplomats are regular visitors to the Pakistani foreign ministry, such visits by defense delegations are rare, reflecting that the two sides seek to understand each other’s defense and diplomatic perspectives more closely.
