World leaders and friendly nations extended Independence Day greetings to Pakistan on Friday, as the country marked 79 years of independence with special prayers and events honouring the sacrifices of its founding fathers.
The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals. An elegant change of guard ceremony was also held at the Mazar-e-Quaid mausoleum in Karachi.
In his message, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian termed Pakistan’s Independence Day a “valuable opportunity to pay tribute to the achievements of the great Pakistani nation”.
The Iranian president said that Tehran and Islamabad’s shared interests and destinies were more closely linked than ever, stressing that the need for greater coordination and cooperation between the two countries had also increased.
President Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to further strengthening comprehensive ties with Pakistan.
He also said Iran was ready to take more effective steps to strengthen bilateral relations by drawing on mutual trust, respect and the two states’ existing wide-ranging potential.
The Iranian president also prayed for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and elevation, and the consolidation of the longstanding brotherly relations between the two nations.
Chinese embassy in Pakistan in its post on X expressed “heartfelt congratulations to our brothers and sisters in Pakistan” on celebrating their Independence Day.
“Wishing Pakistan eternal peace and prosperity. Hand in hand, our ironclad friendship will continue to thrive. Chin–Pak Dosti Zindabad,” it posted.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended “heartfelt congratulations” to the people of Pakistan on the country’s Independence Day.
“Through our mutual cooperation in areas such as regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, and trade and investment, we are transforming our shared capabilities into progress and delivering real results for both the American and Pakistani peoples,” he said in a statement posted to the official X account of the US embassy in Islamabad.
Rubio reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the two nations and the longstanding friendship between their two peoples.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended Independence Day greetings to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, wishing for peace, prosperity and well-being for the people of Pakistan.
“Russia-Pakistan relations are developing successfully,” Putin said in his message.
The Russian president said that the two countries were continuing fruitful cooperation in political, trade, economic, humanitarian and other fields.
He added that the Kremlin and Islamabad were also maintaining cooperation on important regional and global issues.
Putin expressed confidence that the two countries would further strengthen all areas of their bilateral partnership in the mutual interests of their peoples.
Meanwhile, Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa also extended greetings to Pakistan on its Independence Day.
Turkiye, which recently signed a joint defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, congratulated the “friendly and brotherly Pakistan” on Independence Day.
Similarly, Azerbaijan extended heartfelt congratulations to Pakistan on 79 years of independence.
Congratulating Pakistan on Independence Day, Egypt’s foreign ministry said that Cairo looked forward to further deepening historic friendship and strengthening partnership for the benefit of two peoples.
Germany’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ina Lepel, shared a video message on social media, congratulating Pakistanis on 79 years of independence.
In a video posted on the German embassy in Islamabad’s official Facebook account, Ambassador Lepel expressed hope for peace, prosperity, and development in the country and stronger Pakistan-Germany ties.
Separately, former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih extended greetings and best wishes to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan on the country.
In a message shared on social media, Solih expressed hope that the longstanding fraternal ties between the Maldives and Pakistan would grow even stronger.
“On the occasion of Pakistan’s 79th anniversary of independence, I extend my greetings and best wishes to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan,” he said.
“May the fraternal ties that have long existed between Maldives and Pakistan grow even stronger,” Solih added.
