World leaders and friendly nations extended Independence Day greetings to Pakistan on Friday, as the country marked 79 years of independence with special prayers and events honouring the sacrifices of its founding fathers.
The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals. An elegant change of guard ceremony was also held at the Mazar-e-Quaid mausoleum in Karachi.
In his message, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian termed Pakistan’s Independence Day a “valuable opportunity to pay tribute to the achievements of the great Pakistani nation”.
The Iranian president said that Tehran and Islamabad’s shared interests and destinies were more closely linked than ever, stressing that the need for greater coordination and cooperation between the two countries had also increased.
President Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to further strengthening comprehensive ties with Pakistan.
He also said Iran was ready to take more effective steps to strengthen bilateral relations by drawing on mutual trust, respect and the two states’ existing wide-ranging potential.
The Iranian president also prayed for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and elevation, and the consolidation of the longstanding brotherly relations between the two nations.
