News
Monday, May 13, 2013
World leaders congratulate Nawaz on election win* Indian PM felicitates Nawaz on ‘emphatic victory’
* Invites him to ‘visit India at mutually convenient time’ Obama congratulates Pakistan on vote
NEW DELHI: Various world leaders congratulated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif on his party’s massive victory in the general elections, on Sunday.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday congratulated Nawaz on his “emphatic victory” in historic elections and said he hoped for better relations. Singh wrote on his official Twitter account, “Congratulations to Mr Nawaz Sharif and his party for their emphatic victory in Pakistan’s elections”. He said he hoped to work with Sharif to chart “a new course for the relationship” between the nuclear-armed neighbours and invited him to “visit India at a mutually convenient time”. Singh also congratulated “the people and the political parties of Pakistan for braving the threats of violence and voting in large numbers” in Saturday’s election.
Singh telephoned Nawaz Sharif for his party’s victory. The Indian premier hoped that the relationship between two countries would improve in under Nawaz premiership. Nawaz thanked the Indian premier for his good wishes and added that he would try to resolve all disputes with Delhi on the negotiation table. Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday hoped that India will continue to have good relations with Pakistan if former prime minister Nawaz Sharif comes to power after the general elections there. “India welcomes whatever result that comes out of a democratic election. Our government has had relations with Nawaz Sharif,” Khurshid said.
Singh has written a letter to Nawaz in which he said, “You have received a strong mandate to lead Pakistan towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous future,” he wrote in his letter. “I wish you all success in meeting the hopes and expectations of your people as you prepare to assume your new responsibilities.” Terming the elections as historic, he said they are also a significant victory for democracy in Pakistan.” Singh said the people of India have watched with admiration the people of Pakistan braving violence and strife and turning out in large numbers to affirm their democratic rights.
Other world leaders also offered their greetings on Sunday. President Barack Obama congratulated Pakistan Sunday on its parliamentary elections and said Washington was ready to work “as equal partners” with the government that emerges. “My administration looks forward to continuing our cooperation with the Pakistani government that emerges from this election as equal partners in supporting a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for the people of Pakistan,” Obama said in a statement. “The United States stands with all Pakistanis in welcoming this historic peaceful and transparent transfer of civilian power, which is a significant milestone in Pakistan’s democratic progress,” he said.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai also telephoned Nawaz Sharif to congratulate him for his massive victory in Saturday landmark polls. Karzai said that he was optimistic that ties between two brotherly countries would be friendly after Nawaz takes charge of the prime minister’s office. Nawaz vowed that Pakistan would take every step to improve its relationship with all neighbours, especially Afghanistan. His personal friends like the leaders of United Arab Emirates, ameers of Qatar and Kuwait also congratulated Nawaz on his victory.
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Prime Minister Prince Maqran Bin Abdul Aziz also called Nawaz to greet him good wishes. Iranian President Mehmood Ahmadinejad conveyed his greetings to the PML-N chief. Turkish President Abdulallah Gul and Prime Minister Tayyeb Erdogan also congratulated Nawaz. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk