ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has congratulated President Mamnoon Hussain on the anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
In a message, King Salman wished the Pakistan president eternal good health and happiness and his nation steady progress and prosperity.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has also congratulated the President on the country’s 71st Independence Day, the Saudi Embassy in Pakistan said.
Pakistan got its independence from British rule on Aug. 14, 1947.
Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day at a time when the country is all set to transfer power to the newly elected government.
In last month’s general elections, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party emerged as the major political party and is in the process of forming the new government.
PTI chairman and Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan, said in a message on Twitter, “I want all Pakistanis to celebrate 14th August, our Independence Day, with full fervor — especially as we are now moving toward Naya Pakistan (New Pakistan) and reclaiming Jinnah’s vision InshaAllah.”
The day will dawn with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute at the provincial headquarters. The national flag will be hoisted at all important public and private buildings.
The main feature of the celebrations will be a national flag-hoisting ceremony at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. President Hussain will be the chief guest on the occasion, reported Radio Pakistan.
At 9.59 a.m., sirens will be sounded and the moving traffic will come to a halt as a mark of national solidarity. Similar flag-hoisting ceremonies will also be held at provincial, divisional and district headquarters level throughout the country.
Saudi king, crown prince send felicitation messages to Pakistan president on Independence Day
Saudi king, crown prince send felicitation messages to Pakistan president on Independence Day
- King Salman wished the Pakistan president good health and happiness and his nation steady progress and prosperity
- Pakistan marks its 71st Independence Day on Aug. 14
Pakistan expresses condolences as Bangladesh’s first female PM passes away
- Khaleda Zia passed away in Dhaka after prolonged illness at the age of 80, says her party
- PM Shehbaz Sharif describes Zia as a “committed friend of Pakistan” in condolence message
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed condolences over the passing of Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, describing her as a committed friend of Islamabad.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced its leader Zia had passed away at the age of 80 after prolonged illness. She died at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where the former prime minister was admitted on Nov. 23 with symptoms of a lung infection, according to The Daily Star, a Bangladesh news website.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the BNP and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X.
“Her lifelong service to Bangladesh and its growth and development leaves a lasting legacy.”
Sharif said his government and people stand with the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time.
“Begum Zia was a committed friend of Pakistan,” he added.
Pakistan and Bangladesh used to be part of the same country before the latter seceded into the separate nation of Bangladesh after a bloody civil war in 1971.
Ties between the two countries have remained mostly strained since then. However, Islamabad enjoyed better relations with Dhaka under Zia’s government compared to when Bangladesh was led by her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina was ousted after a violent uprising last year, leading to improved relations between Islamabad and Dhaka.
Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign in elections set for February 2026.
The BNP is widely seen as a frontrunner, and Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, who returned only on Thursday after 17 years in exile, is seen as a potential prime minister if they win a majority.
-With additional input from AFP
