\u2022 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praises partnership with Islamabad and highlights cooperation in regional mediation
\u2022 Saudi Arabia lauds \u2018strong relations\u2019 between two countries
\u2022 Leaders of Iran, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Turkiye, China and Russia convey greetings to Pakistani govt<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leaders and senior officials from across the world congratulated Pakistan on its 79th Independence Day on Friday, with several countries using the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Islamabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his Independence Day message, appreciated \u201cthe partnership between our nations and the bonds of friendship between our peoples\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted cooperation between the two countries in regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, and trade and investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Islamabad, US Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Natalie Baker also met Mr Dar and conveyed her congratulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, meanwhile, met Mr Dar and conveyed warm wishes on Independence Day, the Foreign Office said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Iran also congratulated Pakistan on its Independence Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 their \u201cshared commitment to advancing cooperation across all fields\u201d, SPA reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qatar\u2019s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also congratulated President Zardari on Independence Day, the Qatar News Agency reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, and Kuwait\u2019s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah conveyed felicitations to President Zardari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and extended \u201cwarm greetings\u201d to Pakistan\u2019s leadership, government and people, according to the Foreign Office (FO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, described Pakistan\u2019s Independence Day as an opportunity to honour the nation\u2019s achievements and reaffirmed Tehran\u2019s resolve to further strengthen relations with Islamabad, Iran\u2019s IRNA news agency reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He expressed readiness to take \u201cmore effective steps\u201d to advance bilateral ties and safeguard the common interests of the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to IRNA, Mr Pezeshkian said the shared interests of the Iranian and Pakistani peoples had become \u201cinextricably interwoven\u201d, underscoring the need for greater synergy and closer cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. He said continued political consultations and stronger economic, trade, border, security and cultural cooperation could help both countries make better use of their existing potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met Mr Dar, congratulated him and reaffirmed the \u201cclose and time-tested ties\u201d between Islamabad and Beijing, according to the FO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Pres\u00adident Zardari and Prime Mini\u00adster Shehbaz Sharif, expressing confidence that the two countries would continue efforts to strengthen their partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said greater cooperation would serve the interests of the peoples of Russia and Pakistan as well as international security and stability, according to a post on the Russian embassy\u2019s X account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkiye\u2019s Vice President Cevdet Ylmaz and the country\u2019s foreign ministry congratulated Pakistan, describing bilateral relations as being rooted in \u201cexceptional brotherhood\u201d based on shared history and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vice president said the recent defence agreement involving Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had \u201cadded a new dimension\u201d to Ankara-Islamabad relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also extended felicitations to \u201cfriendly and brotherly Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Azerbaijan extended \u201cheartfelt congratulations\u201d to the people and government of Pakistan, while Georgia expressed its<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201ccordial wishes for peace and prosperity\u201d and said it looked forward to further advancing bilateral relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Somalia\u2019s foreign ministry congratulated Pakistan on its 79th Independence Day and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and friendship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romania\u2019s foreign ministry congratulated the Pakistani government and people and said Bucharest remained committed to further strengthening bilateral relations, including under the EU-Pakistan framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n