• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praises partnership with Islamabad and highlights cooperation in regional mediation
• Saudi Arabia lauds ‘strong relations’ between two countries
• Leaders of Iran, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Turkiye, China and Russia convey greetings to Pakistani govt
ISLAMABAD: 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.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his Independence Day message, appreciated “the partnership between our nations and the bonds of friendship between our peoples”.
He highlighted cooperation between the two countries in regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, and trade and investment.
In Islamabad, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker also met Mr Dar and conveyed her congratulations.
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, meanwhile, met Mr Dar and conveyed warm wishes on Independence Day, the Foreign Office said.
The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Iran also congratulated Pakistan on its Independence Day.
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 their “shared commitment to advancing cooperation across all fields”, SPA reported.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also congratulated President Zardari on Independence Day, the Qatar News Agency reported.
The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah conveyed felicitations to President Zardari.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and extended “warm greetings” to Pakistan’s leadership, government and people, according to the Foreign Office (FO).
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, described Pakistan’s Independence Day as an opportunity to honour the nation’s achievements and reaffirmed Tehran’s resolve to further strengthen relations with Islamabad, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.
He expressed readiness to take “more effective steps” to advance bilateral ties and safeguard the common interests of the two countries.
According to IRNA, Mr Pezeshkian said the shared interests of the Iranian and Pakistani peoples had become “inextricably interwoven”, underscoring the need for greater synergy and closer cooperation.
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.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met Mr Dar, congratulated him and reaffirmed the “close and time-tested ties” between Islamabad and Beijing, according to the FO.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing confidence that the two countries would continue efforts to strengthen their partnership.
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’s X account.
Turkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Ylmaz and the country’s foreign ministry congratulated Pakistan, describing bilateral relations as being rooted in “exceptional brotherhood” based on shared history and values.
The vice president said the recent defence agreement involving Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had “added a new dimension” to Ankara-Islamabad relations.
He also extended felicitations to “friendly and brotherly Pakistan”.
Azerbaijan extended “heartfelt congratulations” to the people and government of Pakistan, while Georgia expressed its
“cordial wishes for peace and prosperity” and said it looked forward to further advancing bilateral relations.
Somalia’s foreign ministry congratulated Pakistan on its 79th Independence Day and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and friendship.
Romania’s foreign ministry congratulated the Pakistani government and people and said Bucharest remained committed to further strengthening bilateral relations, including under the EU-Pakistan framework.
Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026
