{
  "id": 877649,
  "title": "World leaders extend greetings to Pakistan on Independence Day, hail bilateral ties",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/world-leaders-extend-greetings-to-pakistan-on-independence-day-hail-877649",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T14:13:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2022800/world-leaders-extend-greetings-to-pakistan-on-independence-day-hail-bilateral-ties"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan marked 79 years of independence on Friday, with world leaders and diplomats from various nations sending their felicitations to the country and its people. Notable figures who extended their greetings included Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US State Secretary Marco Rubio, China's Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, and Turkey's Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.\n\nPezeshkian described the occasion as an opportunity to honor Pakistan's achievements and reaffirm Tehran's commitment to strengthening relations with Islamabad. He expressed readiness to undertake more effective steps to enhance bilateral ties and noted the interwoven nature of shared interests between the two nations. Pezeshkian's comments were echoed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who conveyed congratulations to Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, emphasizing the importance of political consultations and economic, trade, and security cooperation.\n\nUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio appreciated the partnership between the US and Pakistan, highlighting cooperation on regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, and trade and investment. He asserted that these efforts were turning potential into progress and delivering real results for both countries.\n\nTurkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz conveyed warm wishes, underlining the exceptional brotherhood between the two countries based on shared history, common values, and a determination to stand by each other in difficult times. Yılmaz also noted the recent defense agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan as adding a new dimension to relations between Ankara and Islamabad.\n\nQatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong also extended their felicitations to Pakistan, appreciating the country's warm relations with their respective nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz, expressing confidence in further strengthening the partnership between Russia and Pakistan.\n\nMeanwhile, the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik and Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah also congratulated Pakistan in their messages to President Zardari. Somalia's Foreign Ministry affirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and friendship between Somalia and Pakistan. Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, while Georgia wished the Pakistani people peace and prosperity, looking forward to further advancing friendly relations. Azerbaijan also extended heartfelt congratulations to the Pakistani government and people.",
  "summary": "Felicitations poured in from other nations on Friday as Pakistan celebrated 79 years of independence. World leaders and diplomats, from the Iranian president to US State Secretary Marco Rubio, not just wished Pakistan and its people on the country’s 80th Independence Day, but also took the opportunity to hail Islamabad’s ties with their countries. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud…",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated Pakistan on 79th Independence Day",
    "US State Secretary Marco Rubio praised US-Pakistan partnership on regional issues",
    "Turkey's Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz highlighted brotherhood and defense agreement"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}