ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day sparked wave of warm greetings from world leaders, with countries across the globe including US, Iran, China, Russia, Saudi Arabila, Turkey reaffirming friendship, cooperation and strong ties with Islamabad.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari and extended their best wishes to the government and people of Pakistan for continued progress and prosperity.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the partnership between Washington and Islamabad and highlighted the friendship between the two countries’ peoples.
Marco pointed to cooperation in regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, trade and investment, saying joint efforts in these areas were helping turn shared opportunities into tangible benefits for both Americans and Pakistanis.
Saudi ruler King Salman highlighted the strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, stressing the two countries’ shared commitment to expanding cooperation across different fields.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent a message to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, describing Pakistan’s Independence Day as an important occasion to recognise the achievements of the Pakistani nation. Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s determination to strengthen relations with Pakistan and expressed Tehran’s readiness to take further practical steps to expand bilateral cooperation and advance the interests shared by both countries.
He also pointed to the increasingly interconnected interests of the Iranian and Pakistani peoples, saying this reality made closer coordination and cooperation more important. According to his message, a new phase had begun in efforts to deepen and broaden the longstanding strategic relationship between Tehran and Islamabad.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately congratulated Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He stressed the importance of continued political consultations and stronger cooperation in economic, trade, border, security and cultural matters, saying such efforts could help both countries make better use of their existing potential.
Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz offered particularly warm words for Pakistan, describing relations between the two countries as an exceptional brotherhood rooted in shared history, common values and a willingness to support each other during difficult times.
Yılmaz also said the recent defence agreement involving Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had given a new dimension to relations between Ankara and Islamabad.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry separately extended its congratulations to what it described as its friendly and brotherly Pakistan.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also congratulated President Zardari on Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke by telephone with Ishaq Dar and conveyed warm greetings to Pakistan’s leadership, government and people. He also expressed wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity in the country.
China reaffirmed its close relationship with Pakistan as well. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met Ishaq Dar, congratulated Pakistan and emphasised the close and longstanding ties between Beijing and Islamabad.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent congratulations to President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He expressed confidence that Russia and Pakistan would continue their joint efforts to expand their partnership for the benefit of both nations and in support of international security and stability.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott met Ishaq Dar and conveyed warm wishes to Pakistan on the occasion.
Pakistan received further messages from the Gulf region, with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah sending their congratulations to President Zardari.
Somalia’s Foreign Ministry congratulated the Pakistani government and people on the country’s 79th Independence anniversary and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Romania also extended congratulations to Pakistan, saying it remained committed to strengthening bilateral relations, including through the broader European Union-Pakistan framework.
Georgia expressed its wishes for peace and prosperity for the Pakistani people and said it looked forward to further developing friendly relations with Islamabad.
Azerbaijan, another close partner of Pakistan, also sent heartfelt congratulations to the Pakistani government and people.
The wide-ranging messages reflected the breadth of Pakistan’s diplomatic relationships and the importance that countries across different regions attach to their ties with Islamabad.
