ISLAMABAD, June 27: President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday sent separate congratulatory messages to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his election as the president of Iran. The two leaders expressed confidence that under his leadership relations between Pakistan and Iran would be further strengthened. “It gives me great pleasure to convey to your excellency warm felicitations on your election as the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Gen Musharraf said in his message to the newly-elected Iranian president.

He said the victory was reflective of the trust the Iranian people had in his dynamic leadership.

“It represents their hopes to make further progress under your guidance,” he said, adding: “We have no doubt that Iran would also contribute positively to regional peace and stability.”

President Musharraf said Pakistan and Iran are bound in abiding ties of common faith, history and culture and expressed confidence that under his able leadership relations between the two countries would gain further strength and substance.

“I look forward to working with your excellency to that end,” he added.

Felicitating the new Iranian president, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that the people of Iran had indeed reposed great confidence in his leadership.

“We in Pakistan wish you every success with the onerous responsibility you will shortly assume as president,” he added.

Prime Minister Aziz said Pakistan attaches high priority to good fraternal ties with Iran. “Marked by many commonalties and convergent interests, our relations have grown steadily over the years,” he said.—APP