World leaders greet Pakistan on I-Day
As the nation celebrated its 80th Independence Day on Friday, world leaders including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, congratulated the government and people of Pakistan while also expressing wishes to strengthen ties with Islamabad.
In his message, Marco Rubio appreciated "the partnership between our nations and the bonds of friendship between our peoples".
"Together, 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," he said.
Saudi Arabia 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).
King Salman also praised the "strong relations" between the two countries, highlighting the "shared commitment to advancing cooperation across all fields", SPA reported.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described Pakistan's Independence Day as a valuable opportunity to honour the achievements of the nation, reaffirming Tehran's firm resolve to further strengthen its relations with Pakistan, Iran's IRNA news agency reported.
He also expressed "readiness to take more effective steps to advance bilateral ties" and "secure the common interests of both sides", the report said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, according to IRNA.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Zardari and PM Shehbaz, commending Pakistan-Russia relations, according to a post on the Russian embassy's X account.
"I 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," Putin was quoted as saying.
Turkiye's Vice President Cevdet Y?lmaz also congratulated Pakistan and posted on X: "Our relations with Pakistan are based on an exceptional brotherhood nourished by our shared history, common values, and our determination to stand by each other in difficult times".
He noted that the recent defence agreement between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had "added a new dimension" to relations between Ankara and Islamabad.
Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a message to President Zardari, congratulated Pakistan on Independence Day, the Qatar News Agency reported.
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik and Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah congratulated Pakistan in their messages to President Zardari. Egypt Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with Dar and "extended warm greetings on Pakistan's Independence Day to the leadership, government and people of Pakistan.
Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, met Dar, congratulated him and reaffirmed the "close and time-tested ties between" Islamabad and China, according to the FO.
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, in a meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, "conveyed warm wishes" on Pakistan's Independence Day, the Foreign Office said on X.