Islamabad, August 14, 2026: Messages of congratulations poured in from across the world on Friday as Pakistan celebrated its 79th Independence Day, with leaders and senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Türkiye, the United States, Russia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and several other countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Islamabad.
The messages highlighted Pakistan’s growing diplomatic engagement and its role in promoting regional peace and stability, while also underscoring opportunities for expanding economic, trade, security and people-to-people cooperation.
Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to extend its greetings, with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman congratulating President Asif Ali Zardari and wishing the government and people of Pakistan continued progress and prosperity.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, King Salman also praised the “strong relations” between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to expanding cooperation across various fields.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed his greetings to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, describing Pakistan’s Independence Day as an opportunity to celebrate the country’s achievements and reaffirming Tehran’s determination to further strengthen bilateral relations.
According to Iran’s IRNA news agency, Pezeshkian expressed readiness to take more effective steps to advance ties and safeguard the common interests of the two countries. He said the shared interests of the Iranian and Pakistani peoples had become increasingly interconnected and called for greater synergy and closer cooperation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also congratulated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, stressing the importance of continued political consultations and enhanced economic, trade, border, security and cultural cooperation.
The United States also extended felicitations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighting the partnership between Washington and Islamabad and the longstanding bonds between the two peoples.
“Together, through our cooperation on regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, and trade and investment, we are turning potential into progress and delivering real results for Americans and Pakistanis alike,” Rubio said in his Independence Day message.
In Islamabad, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker separately met Ishaq Dar and conveyed congratulations on Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Türkiye also reaffirmed its strong ties with Pakistan. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz congratulated the Pakistani nation, describing relations between the two countries as an “exceptional brotherhood” rooted in shared history, common values and a commitment to stand by each other during difficult times.
Yılmaz noted that the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia had added a new dimension to relations between Ankara and Islamabad.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also extended greetings to “friendly and brotherly Pakistan” on the occasion.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani conveyed his congratulations to President Zardari, while Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke with Ishaq Dar by telephone and extended warm greetings to Pakistan’s leadership, government and people, wishing the country continued peace, progress and prosperity.
China also reaffirmed its longstanding friendship with Pakistan. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conveyed congratulations on Independence Day, reaffirming the “close and time-tested ties” between the two countries.
The ambassador also expressed condolences over the death of a Chinese mountaineer following an avalanche at Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. Dar assured him of Pakistan’s full assistance in facilitating the repatriation of the deceased’s remains.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing confidence that Moscow and Islamabad would continue working to strengthen their partnership.
“I am confident that we will continue our constructive joint efforts to further strengthen the entire spectrum of our partnership for the benefit of the friendly peoples of Russia and Pakistan, and in the interests of enhancing international security and stability,” Putin was quoted as saying by the Russian Embassy in Islamabad.
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott conveyed warm Independence Day wishes during her meeting with Ishaq Dar in Islamabad. The two sides also discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments.
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah also sent messages of congratulations to President Zardari.
Beyond the Middle East and major powers, several other countries joined the international chorus of goodwill.
Somalia’s Foreign Ministry congratulated the government and people of Pakistan on the country’s 79th Independence anniversary and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and friendship.
Romania’s Foreign Ministry said it remained committed to further strengthening relations with Pakistan, including through the EU-Pakistan framework.
Georgia conveyed its “cordial wishes for peace and prosperity” to the Pakistani people and expressed hope for further advancement of friendly relations between the two countries.
Azerbaijan also extended “heartfelt congratulations” to the government and brotherly people of Pakistan.
The wide-ranging messages came as Pakistan marked its Independence Day with nationwide ceremonies, military tributes and calls from the country’s leadership for greater unity, economic development, institutional reform and national cohesion.
The strong international response also reflected the breadth of Pakistan’s diplomatic relationships, with countries across the region and beyond expressing a shared interest in deeper cooperation with Islamabad on trade, investment, defence, regional stability and people-to-people ties.
