Islamabad, November 6, 2024–As Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump celebrated his “magnificent victory” in a speech to supporters, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated him on securing a second term as the 47th President of the United States, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Sharif referred to Trump as the president-elect and extended his congratulations on his “historic victory.” The Prime Minister expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the incoming administration to further strengthen and expand the Pakistan-U.S. partnership. “I look forward to working closely with the incoming Administration to further strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-U.S. partnership,” wrote PM Shehbaz.
As per media reports, the race stands with Trump leading with 277 votes, while the Democratic candidate trails with 226 votes.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Omar Ayub Khan also congratulated Trump and his vice-presidential running mate, JD Vance, on their victory. He expressed hope that the new administration would work towards fostering better relations between the people of Pakistan and the United States, writing on X, “It is hoped that this team will foster better relations between the people of Pakistan and the people of the United States of America.”
These congratulatory messages come at a time when PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, remains imprisoned following multiple convictions. The PTI’s gesture toward Trump’s victory is significant, especially as claims from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggest that the party has sought foreign intervention to influence Pakistan’s political landscape in favor of securing Khan’s release and potential relocation abroad.
During his tenure as Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan maintained a cordial relationship with the Trump administration, which is why PTI views Trump’s return to power as potentially advantageous for its political goals.
Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party, congratulated Trump and his team on their “historic comeback” and “resounding victory.” Expressing a hope for global peace, Bhutto-Zardari described Trump’s mandate as “anti-war,” writing: “We hope the new administration will prioritize peace and help end the cycle of perpetual global conflict.”
