Islamabad extends rare greeting to Pyongyang

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan witnessed an uncommon diplomatic gesture towards North Korea on Wednesday. President Asif Ali Zardari and the Foreign Office took the opportunity to extend greetings to Pyongyang on the 78th anniversary of the country's founding. In a letter addressed to Kim Jong Un, Zardari acknowledged the "cordial relations based on mutual trust and goodwill" between the two nations and expressed optimism for the future of their bilateral ties.

The Foreign Office also released a public message on X, conveying its "warmest felicitations" to North Korea, despite the fact that its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang is currently inactive. Relations between Pakistan and North Korea have typically been restrained, with consular relations established in 1968 and upgraded to ambassadorial level four years later.

However, their interactions have been limited, especially since international sanctions were imposed on Pyongyang due to its nuclear and missile programs. The spokesman for the Foreign Office, Sajjad Haider Khan, downplayed the significance of this particular exchange, stating that such messages are "a common practice." Despite Pakistan's mission in Pyongyang being closed, North Korea maintains an embassy in Islamabad and hosted its national day reception on Tuesday.

Pakistan has been adhering to UNSC sanctions, which include restrictions on trade, the suspension of Air Koryo flights, monitoring of North Korean diplomats' activities and bank accounts, and stringent visa requirements for diplomatic personnel.