ISLAMABAD: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have congratulated Pakistan on its 79th Independence Day, expressing their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties with Islamabad.
Putin, in his message to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistani people, said Russia-Pakistan relations were developing successfully on a friendly basis.
He highlighted growing cooperation between the two countries in political, economic and other fields, as well as their coordination on regional and global issues.
The Russian president also appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation on regional matters, including counterterrorism and Afghanistan, and expressed confidence that Moscow and Islamabad would further expand their partnership in the interests of their peoples.
Pezeshkian, meanwhile, congratulated the Pakistani government and people, saying the shared interests and destinies of Iran and Pakistan were more closely intertwined than ever, making greater coordination and cooperation between the two countries increasingly important.
The Iranian president said Pakistan’s Independence Day provided a fresh opportunity to deepen and broaden the two countries’ longstanding brotherly and strategic ties. He reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to strengthening comprehensive relations with Islamabad based on mutual trust and respect.
Pezeshkian also called for more effective measures to expand bilateral ties by making use of the two countries’ existing potential, and expressed his wishes for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and progress.
His message comes amid increased high-level engagement between Iran and Pakistan. Pezeshkian visited Pakistan in June at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while Pakistan has also played a role as mediator and host in the understanding reached between Iran and the United States.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan were among other countries that also extended Independence Day greetings to Pakistan.
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The messages from Moscow and Tehran underscore their interest in expanding political, economic and diplomatic engagement with Islamabad amid evolving regional dynamics.::
