Congratulatory messages pour in for Khan

The ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Islamabad, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, met Pakistan's prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala, Islamabad. (@PTIofficial/Twitter)

• The Saudi ambassador said the Kingdom will continue to stand by Pakistan
• China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said the strategic cooperative partnership with Islamabad will remain unchanged

ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, who is poised to be Pakistan’s next prime minister, is receiving congratulatory messages from governments worldwide following his party’s election victory this week.
“I congratulate the millions of voters who participated in Pakistan’s elections on 25 July,” UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement. 
“The people of Pakistan have shown they will not be cowed by the terrorists who seek to disrupt the democratic process,” he added.
“This is an important moment for democracy in Pakistan, marking an unprecedented second successive transfer of power from one full-term civilian government to another,” Hunt said.
“It is now for Pakistan’s elected representatives to work together to ensure a successful transition,” he added.
“I hope all sides will resolve any disputed results peacefully and in accordance with Pakistan’s electoral laws. We look forward to continuing our work with the new federal and provincial governments.”
The Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, on Friday conveyed King Salman’s congratulations to Khan.
Al-Malki, who was the first ambassador to meet with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, told Khan that the Saudi government will continue to stand by his country in difficult times.
Both countries are tied by strong historical and religious bonds that will continue to strengthen in the days ahead, the Saudi envoy said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Friday said his country’s strategic cooperative partnership with Pakistan will remain unchanged.
“He (Khan) said on many occasions previously that Pakistan’s relationship with China serves as the cornerstone for its foreign policies, and no matter which party takes office, it won’t change Pakistan’s friendly policies towards China,” Geng added.
In his victory speech, Khan said his government will further enhance bilateral relations, advance the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and learn from China’s experience in tackling corruption and alleviating poverty.
Geng said Khan’s remarks “fully showcase that the China-Pakistan friendship is an all-weather one.” 
Geng added: “However the internal situation in the two countries may evolve, the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership will remain unchanged, as this is in the common interests of the two countries and two peoples.”
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said her country will seek opportunities to work with Pakistan’s new government to “advance our goals of security, stability and prosperity in South Asia.” But she also expressed concern over “flaws” in Pakistan’s pre-electoral process.
The Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, congratulated Khan, tweeting: “Over my stay in Pak have developed a close friendship resulting from his consistently welcoming positions on Afghanistan: calling for Pak’s constructive role in our peace and stability and strong support for Afghan refugees.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Tehran “is ready to work to expand the all-round cooperation between the two Muslim countries.”