ISLAMABAD, June 29: Chairperson Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto has felicitated Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his election as the president of Iran and expressed the hope that traditional ties of friendship between Pakistan and Iran will further grow under the new dispensation in Iran. The former prime minister said the change in Iran through a democratic electoral process held lessons for many countries and many people. “For the people of Pakistan, the Iranian election has highlighted the contrast in Islamabad.

APP adds: President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain has felicitated the newly-elected President of Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

In a message, Chaudhry Shujaat thanked him for his sentiments of love and brotherhood for Pakistan expressed in his first press conference after the election.

Chaudhry Shujaat said Pakistan and Iran both were independent and democratic Islamic states and wanted to further develop their relations.

The PML President said Iran and Pakistan had historical ties rooted in faith and culture.