ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Felicitations poured in from other nations on Friday as Pakistan celebrated 79 years of independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
World leaders and diplomats, from the Iranian president to US State Secretary Marco Rubio, not just wished Pakistan and its people on the country\u2019s 80th Independence Day, but also took the opportunity to hail Islamabad\u2019s ties with their countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saudi Arabia\u2019s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari, wishing the government and people of Pakistan steady progress and prosperity, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King Salman also praised the \u201cstrong relations\u201d between the two countries, highlighting the \u201cshared commitment to advancing cooperation across all fields\u201d, SPA reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, described Pakistan\u2019s Independence Day as a valuable opportunity to honour the achievements of the nation, reaffirming Tehran\u2019s firm resolve to further strengthen its relations with Pakistan, Iran\u2019s IRNA news agency reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also expressed \u201creadiness to take more effective steps to advance bilateral ties\u201d and \u201csecure the common interests of both sides\u201d, the report said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that Pezeshkian noted that the \u201cshared interests of the Iranian and Pakistani nations have become inextricably interwoven, a reality that underscores the need for greater synergy and closer cooperation\u201d and stressed that a \u201cnew turning point has begun in deepening and expanding the longstanding and strategic relations\u201d between Tehran and Islamabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, according to IRNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The state-run Iranian news agency reported that Araghchi said that continued political consultations and the strengthening of economic, trade, border, security, and cultural cooperation between the two countries would pave the way to leverage existing capacities and secure their shared interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his message on Pakistan\u2019s Independence Day, appreciated \u201cthe partnership between our nations and the bonds of friendship between our peoples\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTogether, through our cooperation on regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, and trade and investment, we are turning potential into progress and delivering real results for Americans and Pakistanis alike,\u201d Rubio said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Islamabad, US Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Natalie Baker met Dar and congratulated him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkiye\u2019s foreign ministry also extended felicitations to the \u201cfriendly and brotherly Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Egypt\u2019s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with Dar and \u201cextended warm greetings on Pakistan\u2019s Independence Day to the leadership, government and people of Pakistan, and conveyed his best wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity,\u201d the FO said in another post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Zardari and PM Shehbaz, commending Pakistan-Russia relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am confident that we will continue our constructive joint efforts to further strengthen the entire spectrum of our partnership for the benefit of the friendly peoples of Russia and Pakistan, and in the interests of enhancing international security and stability,\u201d a post on the Russian embassy\u2019s X account quoted him as saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, \u201cconveyed warm wishes\u201d on Pakistan\u2019s Independence Day, the Foreign Office (FO) said on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, met Dar, congratulated him and reaffirmed the \u201cclose and time-tested ties between\u201d Islamabad and China, according to the FO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romania\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement posted on X, congratulated the Pakistani government and people, adding that \u201cRomania remains committed to further strengthening our bilateral relations, including under the EU-Pakistan framework\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia, meanwhile, expressed its \u201ccordial wishes for peace and prosperity of Pakistani people\u201d, adding that it was looking forward to \u201cfurther advancing our friendly relations\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Azerbaijan also extended \u201cheartfelt congratulations to the brotherly people and the government of Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Felicitations poured in from other nations on Friday as Pakistan celebrated 79 years of independence. World leaders and diplomats, from the Iranian president to US State Secretary Marco Rubio, not just wished Pakistan and its people on the country\u2019s 80th Independence Day, but also took the opportunity to hail Islamabad\u2019s ties with their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":131232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n