Shehbaz responds to Modi's felicitation on PM election

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday responded to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's felicitation on being elected as prime minister of the country. 

Taking to his X official handle, PM Shehbaz wrote: "Thank you Narendra Modi for felicitations on my election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan."

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz was elected as the country's prime minister for the second time consecutively after he secured 201 votes with the backing of allied parties primarily Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) last week.

Shehbaz's opponent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Omar Ayub Khan lost the PM election in the National Assembly after he managed to bag only 92 votes.

Soon after his election as the PM, congratulations started pouring in with world leaders and diplomats felicitating him on becoming the country's chief executive.

Besides Modi, PM Shehbaz also thanked other heads of the state in separate posts on X.

"I wish to thank my brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of brotherly Saudi Arabia, for the warm wishes and prayers on my assumption of the office of Prime Minister," the premier said on X.

The PM said relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are deep-rooted in historical bonds based on mutual respect, religious and cultural affinity and shared values.

"I am confident that these fraternal ties will keep flourishing in the times to come. Looking forward to working closely with my brother for mutual benefit of the peoples of the two brotherly countries," he added.

Likewise, PM Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to the Qatari leaders for their gracious message on his election.

"Grateful to Amir of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his gracious message of felicitations. I also thank Deputy Amir Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and the Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar for their kind wishes. Pakistan cherishes its brotherly ties with Qatar and I look forward to working closely with His Highness to further strengthen our exemplary bonds of friendship," the premier said.

PM Shehbaz also confirmed that he received congratulatory call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi wherein they "reaffirmed our resolve to work closely for the betterment of our countries and the region".

"Pakistan and Kenya enjoy close and cordial relations. I look forward to continued collaboration for further enhancement of our bilateral ties and economic cooperation," said PM Shehbaz while expressing gratitude to Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto.